tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21818231951073910492014-11-27T13:12:48.923-05:00time on my handsFor years I've been saying that my music collection was my art. And while that statement might be a bit high-handed, the fact of the matter is that my collection does say a lot about who I am. So in a way, this blog is going to be my form of self-expression. My hope is that along the way I turn a few people onto some cool new sounds. Enjoy the ride and please feel free to leave comments.YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-11248966036574709782014-08-12T20:59:00.001-04:002014-08-13T02:06:45.577-04:00R.I.P. Robin Williams Yesterday it hit me like a ton of bricks. Robin Williams, in an apparent suicide, died at the age of 63. Normally celebrity deaths don't affect me that much. After all, they're just people. Sure, it's sad when they die but for the family and friends of the deceased, it's sad when anyone dies. But somehow Robin Williams was special. Just hearing the newscaster list his accomplishments it's obvious the man was not just any celebrity. Everybody has his or her own RW favorites. For me it was his role on "Mork and Mindy", especially in its last season when Jonathan Winters was on the show. The two of them together, riffing off each other was pure comedic brilliance. And his moving role of teacher John Keating in "Dead Poets Society". Those were my 2 favorites but there were so many others that I also loved.<br /><br />But for me (and I am sure I am not alone here) the saddest thing of all was that he committed suicide as a result of his depression. I can relate because I too suffer from this potentially debilitating and deadly disease. And yes, it is a disease. But the good news is that for most of us who suffer with it, it can be lived with. I have been on anti-depression meds for about 7 years now. What they do is fix the chemical imbalance in my brain that used to give me these overwhelming, all-encompassing feelings of hopelessness and despair. I still get depressed sometimes, just like everyone, but the meds definitely level the playing field and let me get on with living my life - the good and the bad.<br /><br />Although things are getting better, there is still a stigma attached to depression. "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps", "Everyone's got problems, not just you"&nbsp; and "Just tough it out" are things that many of us have been told by supposedly well-meaning friends and family. Unfortunately it's just not that simple. So the point of what I am getting at is this. If you are depressed or feeling so desperate and hopeless that ending it all seems like a viable solution, please GET HELP. There is nothing shameful or weak about admitting that you need help. We all need help sometimes. And take heart in knowing that you are definitely not alone.<br /><br />And now onto happier things like music.<br /><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Clifton Chenier - Hot Rod</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">I have always loved the sound of a rockin' accordion and nobody serves it up better than the King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier. This zippy tune never fails to put a little extra bounce in my step.</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Clingers - Gonna Have A Good Time</span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In case you were wondering what you get when you mix Kim Fowley, Michael Lloyd, 4 Mormon sisters and an Easybeats song - wonder no more. This came out in the US on the Columbia label in 1969. I wish I could find a copy of the French 45 which came with a picture sleeve.</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Resonars - If He's So Great</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">These guys have been together since the mid 1990's and have a number of releases under their belt. "If He's So Great" is just one of many great tunes that have found a home on my Ipod. Check them out and hear more on their <span style="color: #990000;"><b><a href="http://theresonars1.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Bandcamp</a></b></span> page.</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Del Shannon - Led Along</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">After Del's contract with Amy Records ran out he signed with Liberty Records where he recorded 10 singles and a handful of albums, most of which were quite good and showed him maturing as a singer and an artist. But by that point in time the public had had their fill and they were all pretty much unjustly ignored. This was one of those singles that definitely deserved more notice that still sounds fantastic today.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Dale Hawkins - Wildcat Tamer</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Dale, who was mostly known as the writer and original performer of "Susie Q" recorded this in 1999, which is surprising to me as it sounds like an early outtake. He also produced many records in the 1960's, among them "Western Union" by The Five Americans and "Do It Again, A Little Bit Slower" by Jon &amp; Robin and The In Crowd. He died in Feb. of 2010 from colon cancer.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Menace - You Don't Even WInk Your Eye</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">I included this song in my last playlist before my hiatus back in July of 2012. Unfortunately in all that time I've been unable to track down an original 45 or even a better sounding mp3. Earlier this year someone was selling their album which does contain this song on Ebay for about $800 which is so far out of my league I never even considered it. Had it been around $200 it could well have been a different story. But from what I can tell this would probably have been the only really great song on the album as they were mostly into covering the soft-rock Top 40 hits of the day. Ho hum. But what a song this is. In my original post I described it as the best song The Hollies never recorded and I stand by that description. &nbsp;</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Meters - Jambalaya</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">This Hank Williams classic has been recorded by everyone from John Fogerty to The Carpenters, The Muppets, Gerry &amp; The Pacemakers and just about anyone else you can think of. This version by The Meters is the one I keep going back to.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Michael Lynch - This Girl</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Those of you from the NYC area who were part of the local garage scene over the last 10 - 15 years probably saw The Anything People at some point. Unfortunately they are no longer together but singer and main songwriter Michael Lynch has been doing a lot of recording on his own. "This Girl" is the b-side of his latest single and is available along with his other recordings on his <b><a href="http://michaellynchmusic.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Bandcamp</a></b> page. There are a lot more goodies there where this came from.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Stumps - Think Of The Good Times</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Although thy recorded for the Boyd label in Tucson, Arizona and are thought to be from there, according to an<a href="http://www.60sgaragebands.com/stumps.html" target="_blank"> <b>interview</b></a> with bass player Mark Fraze, they actually called Kettering, Ohio home. "Think of the Good Times" is their one shot at garage immortality.&nbsp;</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Banana Splits - The Very First Kid on My Block</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">If it weren't for first heartbreaks, think of all the incredible songs that would never have been written. The Banana Splits were a session group recording as the characters of the successful cartoon series "The Banana Splits Adventure Hour". Back in those days the truly hip would never have admitted to liking this but I'm sure it was a guilty pleasure for many of us. &nbsp;</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Donnie Burkes - Why Don't You Smile Now</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Most people know this early Lou Reed/John Cale song by the Downliners Sect version. But here it is done mid-tempo soul style on the US Decca label in1965.</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Poppees - If She Cries</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">This Beatles sound-alike was one of two singles these guys released on Bomp Records in the early-mid 70s. A few years ago Bomp records put out a nice anthology of their singles plus some live tracks and demos, which you can order<span style="color: #073763;"> <b>here</b></span>.&nbsp;</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">King Khan &amp; BBQ Show - Too Much In Love</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">I just love their infectious combination of low-fi garage and doo wop.&nbsp;</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Magnificents - Up On The Mountain</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">This killer doo wop classic came out on the Vee Jay label in 1956 and, despite never cracking the Top 100, got a decent amount of airplay in subsequent years on oldies stations.</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Burgundy Run - Stop!</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Many of us first heard this song when it was covered by The Chesterfield Kings back in the mid-80's but this is the original, done by this Albuquerque, New Mexico combo in 1966.&nbsp;</span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Barbara Feldon - 99</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">I don't know anyone who grew up in the 1960's who wasn't a fan of the TV series "Get Smart". Barbara Feldon in her role as Agent 99 was a big reason for the show's success. The actual mp3 file is mislabelled as being by Barbara Eden, the star of the TV series "I Dream of Jeanie". Sorry for the goof-up.</span>&nbsp; </span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Galaxies - 6.15</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">As much as I like this sax and guitar instro stomper, it's not all that different from the thousand other records that came out in the early-mid 60s in the same style. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing as this still sounds quite good today. But the most interesting thing about it for me is the fact that it came out on the Chess label which was known almost exclusively as a blues/R&amp;B/soul label.</span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www48.zippyshare.com/v/73219000/file.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b>Whenever you are near me oh my heart is on a spree</b></span></span></span></span></span></a> </span></span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span> YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-72618481715269730462014-07-30T19:18:00.000-04:002014-08-01T18:21:54.979-04:00I'm baaack!!!Yeah, I know it's been a really long time. Almost 2 years. Since my last post I've given up the job hunt and decided to retire. So I am learning to live on less money but without the stress of working full time - the commute and office politics. It's a trade-off I never would have made voluntarily but since it was made for me, I am generally much happier.<br /><br />I am sure that most, if not all, of my old playlists have long been deleted. I no longer have them so I can not re-upload any of them. So in a sense I am starting over. Some of the songs on this playlist have been posted before. Once again I emphasize that this is not just about free music. If you like something, please think about purchasing it if it is readily available. While it's true that music is art, the economics of it are still a major factor in what gets released and made available. That is true even for most of those 'grey-area' comps. If whoever puts them out can't sell them, at some point they're going to stop. <br /><br />And now a little plug. I do a once-a-month 1 hour radio show (usually the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 8 - 9 PM EST) on an online radio station <a href="http://www.topshelfoldies.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Top Shelf Oldies</span></a>. Not only on my show but every night of the week you will hear some great old R&amp;R (almost all from the 50's and 60's) played by some of the most knowledgeable and entertaining disc jockeys around, most of whom are also fanatical collectors. And when the jocks aren't on, our automatic DJ Otto is also spinning some fine tunes. The best Rock &amp; Roll on the internet only on<span style="color: #660000;"> <span style="color: purple;"><b><a href="http://www.topshelfoldies.org/">Top Shelf Oldies</a></b></span><span style="color: black;">.</span></span><br /><br />Anyway, enough talk from me, let's get to the music. And needless to say, if anything here gives you the urge to leave a comment, don't be shy.<br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">Alternative TV - Action Time Vision</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Unlike a lot of UK punk from the late 70s which made a specific point of distancing itself from the past, this song is clearly influenced by what came before, in this case The Who and The Creation. </span><br />Bo Diddley - Hong Kong, Mississippi</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">For me Bo is the epitome of cool. I loved that scene in "Hail Hail Rock &amp; Roll" when they are interviewing him along with Little Richard and Richard is getting all frenzied and Bo is just sitting there with this sly little smile on his face, like he was in on some cosmic joke that the rest of us just don't get.&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Chentelles - Be My Queen</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"> <span style="color: black;">This was just one of the many 60's garage classics that was brought to our attention by the incredible Back From the Grave series. While there have been no new BFTG volumes since last century, I have it on good information that the maniacs at Crypt Records are working on 3 new volumes that are expected to see the light of day by the end of 2014.&nbsp; I'm totally psyched!!</span><br />Lee Tillman - Tarzan</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">The only info I could find on this is that it came out on the Sonora label, possibly in 1962, and (if my ears are any judge) was recorded in New Orleans. Back in the pre-Beatles 60's records based on comic book heroes were almost a genre unto themselves and this was no doubt, recorded to cash in.</span><br />Roky Erickson &amp; The Nervebreakers - Bermuda</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">This is not the original single version that came out on the fledgeling Rhino label back in 1977. Nonetheless, it's a fine live rendition. Roky's been touring the last few years, mixing in some of his solo material with songs from his 13th Floor Elevator days and if he ever plays anywhere near you, he is not to be missed. </span><br />Muck &amp; The Mires - Caught In A Lie</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Over the past 10+ years these guys have become one of my favorite bands. Main songwriter Evan Shore constructs these perfect pop songs and makes it sound like the easiest thing in the world (and as a frustrated songwriter myself I can tell you that it's anything but easy). Almost all of their CDs are out of print but you can buy most of their albums, like the one this song came from, "All Mucked Up" as mp3's on <span style="color: #741b47;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Mucked-Up-Muck-Mires/dp/B001QLD0PO/ref=sr_1_10_bnp_0_main?s=music&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1406756067&amp;sr=1-10&amp;keywords=muck+and+the+mires" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </b></span>and some of their CDs and LPs can be found reasonably priced on Ebay.</span><br />Scott McKenzie - No, No, No, No, No</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Sometimes an artist becomes completely associated with one song, and when that song is as overplayed as "San Francisco",&nbsp; my curiosity as to whatever else he may have done is reduced to almost zero. It wasn't until I started listening to Top Shelf Oldies on a regular basis that I started hearing other records by Scott McKenzie that I liked a lot better. "No, No..." is from the "San Francisco" album that came out in 1967 and was not released as a single at the time as far as I know. Which is too bad because it's a much better song. &nbsp; </span><br />The Five Satins - When Your Love Comes Along</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Speaking of artists associated with only one song, that is certainly the case with The Five Satins as "In the Still of the Night" is a staple of oldies stations everywhere. "When Your Love..." was released in 1959 on the First label and promptly went nowhere. </span><br />Freddie Chavez - They'll Never Know Why</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">I love this song, especially that little guitar riff that is repeated&nbsp; throughout the song. An original copy will set you back a good 3 figures - if you can even find one - but luckily, over the years this has been comped a number of times in good sound quality. I bet The Fleshtones would do a dynamite cover of this song.&nbsp; </span><br />Lambert, Hendricks &amp; Ross - Twisted</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">I first heard this song when I was in my early 20's when Joni Mitchell covered it on her "Court and Spark" album. While Joni did a more than credible job on it, for me this version from 1959 is the best.</span><br />The Dellwoods - (She Got A) Nose Job</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">This coulda/woulda/ shoulda/ been a hit is from the "Mad Twists Rock &amp; Roll" album which was a big favorite of mine in my pre-teen years.</span> </span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">Jules &amp; The Polar Bears - Sometimes Real Life</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Jules Shear has had a long recording career to much critical acclaim. It's probably my loss but this is one of the few songs I've ever heard by him. I'm not exactly sure why but there is something about that chorus that always gets to me. </span><br />Andre Williams - Going Down To Tia Juana</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Andre has to be THE most loveable dirty old man of Rock &amp; Roll. This is but one of many fabulous records Andre recorded for the Fortune label back in the 50's.&nbsp; </span><br />Dr. Feelgood -&nbsp; Milk And Alcohol</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Although this was recorded after the departure of guitar player Wilko Johnson, they were still at their peak when they played the show from which this was taken in 1979. Bluesy Rock &amp; Roll at it's finest.</span><br />Buzz Cliford - More Dead Than Alive</span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">Buzz scored a Top 10 hit in 1961 with the novelty tune "Baby Sittin' Boogie".&nbsp; As happens so often, he never achieved anywhere near that success again despite the fact that a number of his subsequent releases were way superior. Like this one which never even cracked the Billboard Bubbling Under chart. </span></span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">Sonny Rollins - St Thomas</span><br />One of the best concerts I've ever seen in my life was an outdoor free show that Sonny Rollins did in the summer of 1998 at Lincoln Center. It was jam packed and I couldn't get closer than maybe 100&nbsp; feet from the stage. Nonetheless, his music was mesmerising on so many levels. <br /><br /><span style="color: #741b47;"><b><a href="http://www2.zippyshare.com/v/58022125/file.html" target="_blank">What's so strange when you know that you're a wizard at three?</a></b></span><br /><br />YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-56539245699384180872012-08-14T20:34:00.001-04:002012-08-14T20:34:45.225-04:00Platterpuss R&R Record PartyTune into my radio show unfer my alter-ego of Platterpuss tomorrow (Wed. Aug. 15) at 8 PM EST on <a href="http://topshelfoldies.org/" style="color: #351c75;">Top Shelf Oldies</a><span style="color: black;">.</span>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-17378465476474602462012-07-21T14:56:00.000-04:002012-07-21T14:56:26.039-04:00Giving It Another GoSince I definitely seem to find myself with a lot of time on my hands these days, I have decided to give this blog another go. Receiving some nice comments over the last few months has also made this decision easier. I don't have to tell you how difficult the blogging world has become over the last 9 months since the demise of Megaupload. The fact that I had a number of files taken down and a sharp decrease in visitors since Totally Fuzzy changed their format made it seem like more work than fun. But here's hoping that the few of you who find your way here will hear something new or in a different context that will pique your interest. If that happens I would love it if you would take the time to post a comment. And I am especially interested to know if I actually inspire anyone to go out and buy something. That is after all, the point of all this.<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;">Jewel Akens - Tic Tac Toe<br /><span style="color: black;">This was the flip side of Jewel's big hit "The Birds and The Bees" but I actually like this song better.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;">Jalla Jalla - Minnesota Plates<br /><span style="color: black;">Back in the early 90's when I was writing record reviews under the name The Platterpuss, I read an article in the fanzine "Noise For Heroes" about the music scene in Finland. I wrote a letter to one of the labels featured in the article, Hiljaiset Levyt Records, and received a nice package of CDs, LPs and 45s. There was a ton of terrific stuff in that package but this 45 was definitely the standout.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;">Head &amp; The Hares - One Against The World<br /><span style="color: black;">Back in the 80's and early 90's the garage punk revival scene was in full swing and many of the bands of that era were making music that was as vital as that of their original 60's inspirations.<a href="http://www.stantonpark.com/cgi-bin/sprv6index.cgi?stanton-park-band-head-and-the-hares" style="color: blue;"> Head &amp; The Hares'</a><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span>music was a bit more introspective and not quite as wild as that of their contemporaries like The Chesterfield Kings and The Lyres but it still holds up really well today. </span><br />Glen Campbell - About The Ocean<br /><span style="color: black;">By now most of you readers know that Glen Campbell is sadly nearing the end of his career, having been diagnosed with Alzheimers last year. In his prime, there was no one who could evoke that feeling of gentle wistfullness the way he did.&nbsp; Like many of his best songs, "About the Ocean" was written by Jimmy Webb and can be found on his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reunion-Songs-Jimmy-Glen-Campbell/dp/B00005Q3A0/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1342892478&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=glen+campbell+reunion" style="color: blue;">"Reunion"</a><span style="color: blue;"> </span>album. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;">Jackie Moore - Precious, Precious<br /><span style="color: black;">Back in late 1970 Jackie hit the Billboard charts with this slow burner, eventually cracking the Top 30. I never get tired of this song. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;">The Menace - You Don't Even Wink Your Eye<br /><span style="color: black;">This is perhaps my favorite record of this post. I tend to think of this track as the best song the Hollies never recorded. The Menace were a Hong Kong band back in the mid 60's. To the best of my knowledge they recorded a few singles and an album for the HK based Diamond label. Unfortunately, original copies of this 45 are pretty scarce and this low-quality mp3 is all that exists - for now anyway. These guys are apparently still friends and get together every so often to make music. And they still sound damn good. Check out this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-5-RztlyG8" style="color: blue;">video from 2007</a>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;">Tico &amp; The Triumphs - Noise<br /><span style="color: black;">This is just one of many teen pop records written and recorded by Paul Simon in his pre-S&amp;G days. &nbsp; </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;">The Lazy Cowgirls - Loretta<br /><span style="color: black;">While there is nothing that original going on here, when it comes to Stooges/Dolls influenced 3-chord Punk 'n' Roll, few do it better than these guys. &nbsp; </span><br />Little Jimmy Rivers &amp; The Tops - Puppy Love<br /><span style="color: black;">I've always been a total sucker for that kiddie lead vocal doo wop sound and this is definitely one of the best examples.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;">The Rolling Stones - Twenty Flight Rock<br /><span style="color: black;">There are some folks who say that the Stones exemplify everything that is so cool and wonderful about Rock &amp; Roll and I am definitely one of those people. I saw them back in 2005 and the energy and fire was still there in spades. This was recorded on their US tour in 1981. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;">Blue Ash - Abracadabra (Have You Seen Her)<br /><span style="color: black;">Back in 1973, when disco and singer-songwriters reigned supreme, Blue Ash released their first album " No More No Less" on Mercury Records. Needless to say, at the time it went nowhere but today it is regarded as a powerpop classic.&nbsp; </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;">The Thomas Group - Autumn<br /><span style="color: black;">Back in the mid 60's it seemed like PF Sloan could do no wrong, cranking out hit records for The Grass Roots, Herman's Hermits, The Turtles,&nbsp; and a host of others. This is one of his lesser known gems although to these ears there is no reason why it couldn't have been a hit. Anyone looking to investigate PF Sloan's music a little further might want to start <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1319450830"><span id="goog_1319450803"></span></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Baby-Words-Music-Sloan/dp/B003GE69LQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1342896907&amp;sr=1-4&amp;keywords=pf+sloan"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a><span id="goog_1319450804"></span>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #cc0000;">Bonnie Raitt - I Ain't Blue<br /><span style="color: black;">From her very first album, simply titled</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bonnie-Raitt/dp/B00005Q46B/ref=sr_1_5?s=music&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1342895032&amp;sr=1-5&amp;keywords=bonnie+raitt" style="color: blue;">"Bonnie Raitt"</a><span style="color: black;">, this has always been one of my favorites. Those of you who are mostly familiar with her later recordings might be pleasantly surprised with the somewhat rougher and more organic vibe of her earlier music.</span><br />Larry Donn - Honey Bun<br /><span style="color: black;">While not a household name by any means, <a href="http://www.rockabilly.nl/artists/ldonn.htm" style="color: blue;">Larry Donn</a> is quite well known among fans and collectors of 50's Rockabilly. "Honey Bun" came out on the Vaden label in 1959 and I shudder to think how much original copies of this must be changing hands for at this point in time.</span><br />Jefferson Airplane - She Has Funny Cars<br /><span style="color: black;">Back in Feb. or March of 1967 when I was a little tyke of 15, I went to EJ Korvettes with the intention of purchasing the latest album by The Young Rascals. Instead I came home with Jefferson Airplane's "Surrealistic Pillow" and the first 13th Floor Elevators album. Life hasn't been the same since. &nbsp; </span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mirrorcreator.com/files/1ZJ83114/Another.zip_links" style="color: blue;">Everybody's gonna be there, yeah yeah yeah.</a></div>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-50994089277728137632012-01-08T23:03:00.004-05:002012-01-09T01:48:26.590-05:00Land of the Rich and PrivilegedI wish I were rich enough to be a Republican. I like to think I wouldn't be one but it would be nice to have that option. Seeing as how it is very unlikely that I will vote anything but straight Democratic in the next presidential election I haven't been paying too much attention to the Republican debates. But what I have been hearing scares the crap out of me. The ignorance and the smugness. And the thing that scares me the most is that these raving idiots are being taken seriously by people - people who have the power to vote and keep these evil bastards in office. And so many folks are like sheep and they follow them. All it seems to take is a 30-second soundbite calling their opponent a tax-and-spend liberal and referring to universal health care as Obamacare and voters are eating out of the palms of their hands. Not that most Democrats are likely that much better. They must cow tow to the same lobbyists for the big campaign bucks as their counterparts. But in most cases I think they still have some desire to do the right thing. I still believe Obama is a good man trying his best to fix this broken country. And I still think he talks common sense most of the time. His biggest fault is that maybe he is too nice and needs to toughen up. I sincerely hope he can do that and that he gets the chance to for the next 4 years.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Another Sunny Day - I'm In Love With A Girl Who Doesn't Know I Exist</span><br />Along with Roky Erickson's "Nothing In Return",this song perfectly captures that desolate lonely feeling that only an unrequited love can bring.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Billy Rainsford - Magnolia</span><br />Until I found this song on an old comp of bluesy 50's R&amp;B I hadn't the slightest inkling that Mr. Rainsford even existed let alone have come up with such a gem as this. It just goes to show how much amazing music is still out there waiting to be discovered. It's a beautiful thing!<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Bedlam Four - No One to Love</span><br />I believe this is the same Minnesota combo who did "Hydrogen Atom" which has been comped a few times. This song, to the best of my knowledge, has yet to be reissued. Certainly it's not due to unworthiness.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Jimmy Jones - I Want Action</span><br />Listening to his vocal I'm quite sure that this is not the "Handy Man" Jimmy Jones, but I really know nothing else about him other than that this record came out on the Twinight label out of Chicago.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />The Clovers - Down In The Alley</span><br />Changity changity changity changity chang chang. This has always been one of my favorite Clovers records and one that you don't hear all that often these days.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Simon Dupree &amp; The Big Sound - Reservations</span><br />This was a single for these guys in 1967 on Parlophone Records. In 1969 they split up with a few of their members forming prog rockers Gentle Giant.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Pat Benetar - I Need A Lover</span><br />Back in the punk era Pat Benetar was considered to be everything that was prefabricated and corporate and wrong with Rock &amp; Roll music - at least in my circle. These days she doesn't sound bad at all and I've always liked this song - even when it wasn't cool to do so.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Mods - I Give You an Inch (and You Take a Mile)</span><br />According to the <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.soybomb.com/garage-comps/classic/">Garage database</a>, there were around 15 bands calling themselves The Mods. The Mods who recorded this snarly classic came from Toledo, Ohio. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Thelma Houston - Jumpin' Jack Flash</span><br />Of course it goes without saying that the definitive version of this song will always be The Rolling Stones' original, but I like Thelma's as well.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Dean Carter - Mary Sue</span><br />Dean is mainly known for his oft-comped totally over the top version of "Jailhouse Rock" but as his <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.amazon.com/Call-Wild-Dean-Carter/dp/B000071WFE/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1326087962&amp;sr=1-1">"Call of the Wild"</a> CD definitely proved, there was a whole lot more craziness where that came from.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Chuck Brookes - Spinning My Wheels</span><br />I first became familiar with this song when The A-Bones started covering it some 20-odd years ago. Their version is pretty similar to Chuck's original.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Richard X. Heyman - Falling Away</span><br />Until I looked him up on <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_X._Heyman">Wikipedia</a> I had no idea this guy had 7 albums under his belt. I may have heard bits and pieces of a few of them but this song is my favorite of what I have heard so far.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />Sir Winston and The Commons - We're Gonna Love</span><br />Another 60s Garage favorite that was introduced to the world on Back From The Grave Vol. 3.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Bob Dylan - Can't Help Falling In Love</span><br />After Dylan signed with Asylum Records for 2 albums Columbia Records, where he'd been recording since 1962, decided to "punish" him by releasing the "Dylan" album which contained outtakes considered not worthy of release at the time they were recorded. I've always loved his version of "Can't Help..." from that album.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Rogues - You Better Look Now</span><br />Here's a little minor-key jangly folk rock courtesy of our friends who released the "Teenage Shutdown" series. I think this was on Volume 5.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Rufus Thomas - Crazy 'Bout You Baby</span><br />Way before he recorded "Walkin' the Dog" for Stax, Rufus Thomas recorded a whole slew of jump R&amp;B sides for Sam Phillips' Sun label. This was one of them.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Mose Allison - Your Molecular Structure</span><br />Mose Allison has always been a favorite artist of mine. I love that little spark of mischief in his songs. In an article I read once the author said that he sang "with a twinkle in his eye" and nowhere is that more apparent than on this particular song.<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.multiupload.com/TSVS1CAWWM">Like a river flows, surely to the sea<br /></a>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-32393229266976123242011-12-30T20:09:00.002-05:002011-12-30T21:22:31.628-05:00Last Platterpuss Broadcast of 2011In case anyone missed my broadcast on Top Shelf Oldies this past Wednesday, here it is for download to listen to at your own convenience. Now that Christmas is over, I say we skip New Years and head right into Spring Training. Play Ball.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">AMOS MILBURN - CHICKEN SHACK BOOGIE <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.multiupload.com/7T3FIR5O9R">(1955 Vers.)</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">MARTHA &amp; THE VANDELLAS - NOWHERE TO RUN</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE SONS OF FRED - BABY WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">LESLIE DAWSON - RUN FOR SHELTER</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">KYU SAKAMOTO - HANA SAKU MACKIKADO (HAT'S OFF TO LARRY)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">STATUS QUO - ICE IN THE SUN</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE VELVETS - WILD LITTLE WILLY</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">LITTLE IKE - SHE CAN ROCK</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE YOUNG SAVAGES - THE INVADERS ARE COMING</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE VONBRELLAS - WINGS OF AN ANGEL</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE DIABLOS - SINCE YOU'RE GONE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DARROW FLETCHER - INFATUATION</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE MENACE - YOU DON'T EVEN WINK YOUR EYE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE HOLLIES - BABY THAT'S ALL</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">CRABBY APPLETON - LUCY </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">MEL DORSEY &amp; THE HEARTBEATS - LITTLE LIL</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE BLUES PROJECT - NO TIME LIKE THE RIGHT TIME</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE COBRAS - SINDY</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE SUGAR CANYON - ON TOP OF THE WORLD</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE MUSIC MACHINE - THE PEOPLE IN ME</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE KINKS - THIS IS WHERE I BELONG</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE MAR-KEYS - BLUE PEANUTS</span>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-79303383979719305232011-12-11T23:47:00.003-05:002011-12-12T02:05:04.775-05:00Back Off the Chain Gang<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">As of around 7:30 PM, Nov. 30 I am once again a member of the great unemployed. I can't say that it came as a great surprise and I also can't say that I am too upset about it. To be perfectly honest I grew to really hate this job over the last few months. After the first initial shock I felt like a weight had been lifted off my back. The economy still stinks out there and I don't have a lot of money saved up so I find myself having to make choices about things I used to take for granted but at this point in my life a little belt-tightening is probably not a bad thing to get used to.<br /><br />I read an interesting article in the <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-van-zandt/democracy-in-america_b_1139463.html">Huffington Post</a> written by Steve Van Zandt. Now I realize that Miami Steve is not one of the great political commentators of our time but he does make a very interesting point. As long as politicians (both Democrat and Republican) are so dependent on campaign contributions, nothing is going to change. Biting the hand that feeds you is never a good career move. In his exact words, "We need to eliminate all private finance from the electoral process." I'm not sure I agree with him completely. After all, in the last presidential election I donated $50 to Barack Obama's campaign and I'm certainly not expecting any special favors to come my way because of it. But if I'd donated $50,000 I might feel differently. So he does raise an interesting point and something to think about.<br /><br />By now, most of you reading this already know about the deaths of Howard Tate, Hubert Sumlin and Dobie Gray. Over the past week much has been written about them and many of their records have been posted on various blogs and on Youtube. So I have little or nothing to add really but I did feel the need to acknowledge them as I really loved their music. And now, on with the show.<br /></span><br />Adam Faith - I Don't Need That Kind Of Lovin'</span><br />This song was on my very first playlist back on Sept. 25, 2008 and has long been deleted by Rapidshare. To these ears most of what he recorded, with and without the Roulettes is little more than schlock but he did do a few cool rockers.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Junior McCants - Try Me For Your new Love</span><br />One of these days I will get to updating my "Way to Go" section and when I do I will definitely be posting a link to <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://dereksdaily45.blogspot.com/">Derek's Daily 45</a> which is where I found this nifty upbeat soul dancer.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Sugar Canyon - On Top of The World</span><br />Back in the late 60's when psychedelia and long bluesy guitar solos ruled the roost, Buddah Records in NYC was merrily swimming against the tide, cranking out one bubblegum single after another. I doubt if The Sugar Canyon was a real band (were ANY of them?) but it doesn't matter. If bouncy, catchy pop is your thing, it doesn't get a whole lot better than this.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />The Young Fresh Fellows - Rock'n'Roll Pest Control</span><br />Sometimes these guys come on a little too jokey for my tastes but this particular song, off their debut LP "The Fabulous Sounds Of The Pacific Northwest" has always been a favorite of mine.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Papa Lightfoot - Wine, Women, Whiskey</span><br />I don't know anything about Papa Lightfoot except that this song comes from a really fine 4-disc set called "Juke Joint Blues" which can be found at <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.amazon.com/Jook-Joint-Blues-Thats-What/dp/B000SBUCJ0/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1323668867&amp;sr=1-1">Amazon</a>.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Downliners Sect - Lonely And Blue</span><br />Any of you who are readers of <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.ugly-things.com/">Ugly Things</a> have undoubtedly been reading about Downliners Sect's goings on for the last 15 years as, along with The Pretty Things, they are a favorite of editor Mike Stax. Listening to this it's not hard to hear why. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Kenny Smith - I'm So Lonesome, Baby</span><br />Here's another record by an artist I know nothing about, in fact I never even heard of him until I got the CD "Keb Darge &amp; Little Edith's Legendary Wild Rockers" which is also available pretty cheaply at <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.amazon.com/Legendary-Rockers-Darge-Little-Ediths/dp/B004W5MMW8/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1323669265&amp;sr=1-1">Amazon</a>.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The E-Types - I Can't Do It</span><br />I've always had a soft spot for this kind of mid-60's poppy garage. I'm sure that original copies of this record sell for unheard of sums but luckily, this was reissued by <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.sundazed.com/">Sundazed</a> a few years back.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />Dick Dale- Jessie Pearl</span><br />Dick Dale is mostly known for his string bending instrumentals but here he turns in a vocal similar in style to some of Eddie Cochran's better records.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Moving Sidewalks - Every Night A New Surprise</span><br />While these guys are mostly known (besides morphing into boogie rockers ZZ Top) for their monstrous garage rocker "99th Floor", this is another keeper by them.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Cobras - Sindy</span><br />This was recorded in 1955 for the Modern label of Hollywood California. Primo slow doo wop complete with a spoken middle section. Perfect make out music.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DMZ - Rosalyn</span><br />Before he formed The Lyres, Jeff Connolly was in DMZ. Musically, both bands had pretty much the same approach although DMZ may have been a little rougher around the edges - never a bad thing. Here is a live version of The Pretty Thing's "Rosalyn".<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Disturbers - Coming To Your World</span><br />From somewhere in the wilds of Pennsylvania these guys show (to my ears anyway) a bit of a Dylan meets the Seeds influence. Some cool organ playing throughout definitely adds a nice touch. Good guitar solo too.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Norma Jenkins - Me Myself And I</span><br />Nice mid-tempo soul from this songstress that I must admit to having no previous knowledge of whatsoever until I heard this song on Kent's <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.amazon.com/Carnival-Soul-Vol-1-Wishes/dp/B00000832U/ref=sr_1_5?s=music&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1323670980&amp;sr=1-5">Carnival of Soul </a>Vol 1 CD. With a lovely voice like she had it seems kind of surprising she never made it further.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />The Spliffs - You Know What They'll Say</span><br />Power Pop lover that I am, this has been a favorite of mine for a really long time so I was really surprised when I did a search and found that in the 3+ years I've been doing this blog I had never posted this absolute gem of a record. So here it is. Enjoy.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">William Penn Fyve - Blow Your Mind</span><br />It's hard to believe that this garage pounder by these 5 guys from Palo Alto, CA has never been comped. I don't remember where I got it from but it's a killer track.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />Willie Tee - Teasin' You</span><br />I saw Willie Tee in concert a few years ago and he could still sing as sweetly as ever. Sadly he passed away from colon cancer not long after that show. "Teasin..." was released as a single in March of 1965 on Atlantic Records with the fabulous "Walking Up A One-Way Street" as the b-side but it only made it up to number 97 on the Billboard Top 100.<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.multiupload.com/F26SSER2BQ">There's no place else that I can go</a>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-71877939824295647142011-11-20T23:48:00.002-05:002011-11-21T00:38:36.826-05:00Norton Records TributeFor any of you who might have missed my tribute to Norton Records this past Wednesday on Top Shelf Oldies, here it is on a bright and shiny brand new MP3 file. Last weekend was a blast and for those of you who were unable to take part in the festivities, or those of you who were there but want to relive the good times, you can go to my pal and photographer extroadinaire Jeff Cuyubamba's page on <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://blog.garagepunknyc.com/2011/11/norton-25th-anniversary-bell-house-november-1013-2011.html">Garagepunk NYC</a> to check out his pics. I hope to get in another post or two before the end of the year so for now I will just wish everyone out there in Cyberland a Happy Thanksgiving. <br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">NUMBER NINE TRAIN - DALE HAWKINS</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE WITCH - THE SONICS</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD LOVE - BIG MAYBELLE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I GOT EYES - ANDRE WILLIAMS &amp; THE ELDORADOS</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">SONG FOR JANIE - TIM BUCKLEY</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">HOW CAN YOU BE SO MEAN - JOHNNY ACE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">KEEP A KNOCKIN' - BOBBY FULLER</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">ALLEY RAT - KING COLEMAN</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">24 HOURS (EVERYDAY) - THE HEADSTONES</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">LET'S TWIST (SLOW &amp; EASY) - TED JARRETT</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE JADES - DON'T BE A FOOL</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">? AND THE MYSTERIANS - I NEED SOMEBODY</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">CHARLES LOOPER AND THE LOOPS - SHE'S MY BABY NOW</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">LITTLE BABY - TOMMY FACENDA</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I GOT TO KNOW HIM - THE KITTENS</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">WATCH ME - THE TRACERS</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">TEENAGE HEAD - THE FLAMIN' GROOVIES</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I DON'T CARE - FRANKIE DAY W/ THE JIM BALCOM ORCHESTRA</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">IT WON'T BE WRONG - THE BYRDS</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">OUT OF THIS WORLD - GINO WASHINGTON</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">WHAT A WAY TO DIE - THE PLEASURE SEEKERS</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">JITTERBUG MARY - THE DEL-VIKINGS</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.multiupload.com/X5T7SLCFD6">CONGO BONGO</a> - BEN LEONARD &amp; THE FURIES</span>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-59769766559360690772011-11-16T00:20:00.004-05:002011-11-21T00:39:05.439-05:00Happy Anniversary Norton RecordsNovember 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.nortonrecords.com/xxv.php">Norton Records</a>. The festivities were held this past weekend - from Thursday thru Sunday night and I have to say it was one of the best weekends I have had in a long long time. I will be paying tribute to Norton on my monthly radio show on <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://topshelfoldies.org/">Top Shelf Oldies</a> tomorrow night, Wed., Nov. 16 at 8 PM EST. I apologize for the last minute notice but if you can't make it to the show I will be posting it online later in the week. Mucho thanks to Billy and Miriam for 25 years of some of the best Rock &amp; Roll ever.YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-54710385487806803272011-10-29T17:08:00.004-04:002011-10-31T00:58:34.997-04:00A Snowy Winters Day in...October?<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Mother Nature definitely woke up on the wrong side of bed here in the Northeast U.S. this morning. Normally this time of year we expect temperatures peaking at between 55 and 60 degrees but today it is not going to get out of the 30's. And when I look outside my window the ground is covered in ugly snowy slush. Looks more like December or January out there.<br /><br />It's been awhile since my last regular post and a lot has been happening out in the world. By now the Occupy Wall Street movement has been written about and discussed in depth so I don't really have a whole lot to add except for this. The one knock against them that I have been hearing repeatedly is that they have no focus and they "haven't accomplished anything". For me, this is not OWS's purpose. For awhile now people have been disgusted with our government and the system in general which has been failing more and more of us. OWS is giving that discontent a voice and (in my opinion) it will continue to grow in some form or other. The movement which started out as a bunch of punky looking kids with signs is attracting more and more "legitimate" and well-known names and faces. The powers that be, both in government and business are just beginning to get the message that more and more of us are fed up and demand a change. OWS in itself may or may not last the winter but the ripples of discontent that they are generating will continue to grow in some form. And even in this short time there are some definite results. Just today Bank of America announced that it is rethinking its plans to charge a $5 fee to use their debit cards and some other banks such as Wells Fargo and Chase that were also planning to start charging fees have changed th</span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">eir minds, due to <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.sacbee.com/2011/10/29/4016206/bank-of-america-may-pull-back.html">"</a></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.sacbee.com/2011/10/29/4016206/bank-of-america-may-pull-back.html">customer feedback"</a>.<br /><br />Anyway, let's get to what you came here for - gimme the downbeat maestro!</span><br /><br />Al Urban - Gonna Be Better Times</span><br />Back in the mid-50s, in the wake of Elvis it seemed that every country boy (and girl too) with a guitar caught the rockin' bug and was going to be a star just like their hero. <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mg9GXtvm1s">Al Urban</a> waxed this tune for the Sarg label in 1958 looking for his share of fame and glory.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Bob Dylan - Boogie Woogie Country Girl</span><br />This comes from a long out-of-print Doc Pomus tribute CD. I love Dylan's laid back vocal and arrangement which doesn't stray too far from the original.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Stoics - Enough of What I Need</span><br />Back in 1967 this San Antonio fivesome recorded this garage classic for the Brams label. Over the years this song has appeared on a number of comps, if not always with the best sound quality. But it sounds fine here.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Heavenly - Cool Guitar Boy</span><br />This is one of those songs I included in one of my earliest posts which is probably long gone by now. This has always been a favorite of mine since the moment I first heard it and Amelia Fletcher has never sounded sweeter.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Dion - Will Love Ever Come my Way</span><br />Recorded for Columbia in the mid-60s I'm not sure if this ever came out on a 45. If it did, it never cracked Billboard's Top 100. But that certainly wasn't due to a lack of musical merit as this has "hit" written all over it. Dion recorded a number of fine 45s for Columbia which went nowhere due to, in part I'm sure, lack of promotion by the label. There is one in particular I am looking for, "Two-Ton Feather" by Dion and the Wanderers. It was included on a few Dion compilations over the years but it's the 45 mono mix that I crave so if anyone out there has an extra copy for sale or trade, please get in touch via the comments section.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Mickey Murray - Shout Bamalama</span><br />Mickey's remake of this old Otis Redding rocker made it to number 54 on the Billboard charts in the fall of 1967. It's a bit more restrained than the original but it's a great dancefloor filler nonetheless.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Nashville Teens - Find My Way Back Home</span><br />This is another perennial favorite I know I posted back in the early days of TOMH. After almost 50 years, this song still gets my adrenaline pumping.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Dave Edmunds - Dear Dad</span><br />Dave Edmunds turns in a pretty faithful to the original rendition of one of Chuck Berry's lesser known gems.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Chants - I Don't Care</span><br />Like The Newbeats and Tim Tam &amp; The Turn-Ons, The Chants seamlessly meld doo wop and garage into something totally fun and infectious. Despite the "you'll be sorry" nature of the lyrics, this is one of those songs that immediately brings a smile to my face every time it comes on the Ipod.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Cordells - Annie Get Your Yo-Yo</span><br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ritchie+Cordell"></a>Ritchie Cordell is the master behind this two-minute plus slab of bubblegum magic. As a look at his <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ritchie+Cordell">discography</a> will show, he was involved with a whole slew of AM radio hits in the late 60's and early 70's. Sadly he died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 61 in 2004.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Huey "Piano" Smith &amp; The Clowns - High Blood Pressure</span><br />If these guys ever made a bad record I have yet to hear it. Not only is lead vocalist Bobby Marchan one of my favorite singers ever, HPS&amp;tC's 45s all have that infectious, good-time vibe that makes it virtually impossible to remain in a bad mood whenever I hear them, no matter how awful a day I've had.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Junk Monkeys - All In a Day</span><br />Junk Monkeys were one of many combos that were influenced by earlier bands like The Real Kids and Radio Birdman that seemed to come and go in a flash back in the 90's. As so often happens, in this case their anonymity is not deserved as there are a lot more terrific tunes where this came from, which in this case is their "Bliss" CD which is available for cheap on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bliss-Junk-Monkeys/dp/B0000DELU0/ref=sr_1_7?s=music&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1319927577&amp;sr=1-7">Amazon</a>. <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />The Lynx - You Lie</span><br />Another Texas garage band, this appearss to be The Lynx's brightest shining moment, appearing on a number of compilations over the years. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Prentice Moreland - Holy Mack'rel</span><br />While Elvis may have convinced the white youth of 1950's America that stardom was only a few hip swivels away, it would also appear that Little Richard may have had the same effect on their African-American contemporaries. If you like your R&amp;R loud and wild, here it is.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Tams - Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy</span><br />The last chart entry for this Atlanta, GA quintet (#66 in June 1968), this seems like some pretty good advice.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Rob Hoeke R&amp;B Group - Margio</span><br />While Bob Hoeke was primarily known as a boogie woogie pianist, he still managed to cut some R&amp;B fueled garage records in his native Holland that are now regarded as classics. To me, this is the best of them.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Kwyet Kings - You Say</span><br />If there were any justice in this world, <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.discogs.com/artist/Arne+Thelin">Arne Thelin </a>would be a name more people would recognize (along with Jeff Conolly of the Lyres and Dom Mariani of the Stems/DM3) but unfortunately his supreme talent is known only to a select few. Hopefully he is more appreciated in his home country of Norway. The Kwyet Kings is the latest (as far as I know) of his 3 bands and if you like what you hear here, you can find some of their CDs on <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&amp;field-keywords=kwyet+kings&amp;x=0&amp;y=0">Amazon</a>. If the man isn't making much money from his music, he at least deserves a bit more respect.<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.multiupload.com/O26SLM7BAP">Won't be home until half passed 2.</a>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-89211476694811722832011-10-23T22:36:00.002-04:002011-10-23T22:39:34.031-04:00Double Your PleasureFor any of you out there who might have missed it, here is the link to my special 2-hour edition of my Platterpuss R&amp;R Record Party. One link, 2 separate 1 hour MP3 files. Enjoy.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">HOUR 1</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">BIM BAM - DON &amp; DEWE<a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.multiupload.com/FMTU6BSFMX">Y</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE STANDELLS - THE PEPPERMINT BEATLE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">GWEN OWENS - I LOST A GOOD THING</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">JOE BENNETT &amp; THE SPARKLETONES - BOYS DON'T CRY</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE POSSUMS - SHE'S LOVING ME</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE ORIOLES - SO LONG</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">JOHN LEE HOOKER - LET'S GO OUT TONIGHT</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">RY COODER - DO-RE-MI</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">STORMY GAYLE - FLIPSVILLE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">GLEN CAMPBELL - ABOUT THE OCEAN</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE MARMALADE - BABY, MAKE IT SOON</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE TIDAL WAVES - ACTION (SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE EMPERORS - LAUGHING LINDA</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">ELMER PARKER &amp; THE LIGHT LIGHTERS - YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">JOHNNY NILES (A.K.A. HARRY NILSSON) - WIG JOB</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE STAPLE SINGERS - FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">NOOKIE BOY - I'LL MAKE A BET</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE HONEYCOMBS - CAN'T GET THROUGH TO YOU</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">VINCE EVERETT - I AIN'T GONNA BE YOUR LOW DOWN DOG NO MORE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DION &amp; THE WANDERERS - TWO TON FEATHER</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE CHANTERS - NO NO NO</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">LAURA NYRO - LUCKIE</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> HOUR 2</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">CHUCK BERRY - LITTLE QUEENIE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">LITTLE ERNEST TUCKER - GONNA GET ME A SATELLITE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">BOBBY HEBB - BREAD</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE RESONARS - IF HE'S SO GREAT</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE BEAU BRUMMELS - DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">LAMBERT, HENDRICKS &amp; ROSS - TWISTED</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">MIKE FERN &amp; THE DEL ROYALS - BRAKE JAKE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE WHEELS - MY HEART'S DESIRE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">KATE TAYLOR - YOU CAN CLOSE YOUR EYES</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">NAPPY BROWN - OPEN UP THAT DOOR</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE LITTLE BITS - GIRL GIVE ME LOVE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">HUEY PIANO SMITH &amp; THE CLOWNS - FREE, SINGLE AND DISENGAGED</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">JIM BACHUS - CAVE MAN</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">TOMMY JAMES - ONE TRACK MIND</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">JANET &amp; THE JAYS - LOVE WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO ME</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">LOS GATOS SALVAJES - EN TU CORAZON</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">TYRONE SCHMIDLING - HONEY DON'T</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">ETTA JAMES - TOUGH LOVER</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">SHOCKING BLUE - SEND ME A POSTCARD</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE SOUL CHILDREN - BRING IT HERE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE RED SQUARES - YOU CAN BE MY BABY</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE DEL VIKINGS - COOL SHAKE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">BOOKER T &amp; THE MG'S - GIMME SOME LOVIN'</span>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-78743727929319028002011-10-18T00:44:00.002-04:002011-10-18T00:49:15.578-04:00Twice As Much, Same Low PriceIt's that time of the month again and The Platterpuss is back on the cyber airwaves with a special 2-hour show this Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 9-11 PM EST on <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://topshelfoldies.org/">Top Shelf Oldies</a>. Twice the fun, same low, low price! Tune in to hear some cool tunes and, if you're in the mood, come into the chat room and be part of my Mystery Oldies contests.YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-14126697580612308702011-09-20T19:07:00.003-04:002011-09-20T19:30:48.637-04:00Just when you thought it was safe to go online........along comes another edition of the Platterpuss Rock &amp; Roll Records Party on <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://topshelfoldies.org/">Top Shelf Oldies</a> this Wednesday night from 8 - 9 PM EST. If I say so myself it's going to be a terrific show so be sure to tune in.YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-153477633126674272011-08-21T21:22:00.003-04:002011-10-24T00:50:47.600-04:00In Case You Missed ItLast Wednesday was a special edition of my Platterpuss Rock &amp; Roll Records Party on <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://topshelfoldies.org/">Top Shelf Oldies</a> - it was the Platterpuss Rock &amp; Roll B-Sides Party. And a pretty cool selection of tunes it was if I say so myself. My show is on once a month, the 3rd Wednesday of every month, from 8 - 9 PM EST. If you're around at that time, please tune in and feel free to join the chat room. We're a very friendly bunch of music fanatics. For those of you who missed it this time, you can listen to it by just clicking on the lin<a href="http://www.multiupload.com/DM4K927UTM"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">k</span></a>.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">SAM &amp; DAVE - WRAP IT UP (I THANK YOU)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE STANDELLS - RARI (DIRTY WATER)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE DELLS - JO-JO (OH WHAT A NIGHT)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE CHIFFONS - OH MY LOVER (HE'S SO FINE)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE CRITTERS - WALK LIKE A MAN AGAIN (DON'T LET THE RAIN FALL </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> DOWN ON ME)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">ADRIAN LLOYD - GOT A LITTLE WOMAN (LORNA) </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">J. FRANK WILSON &amp; THE CAVALIERS - THAT'S HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU (LAST KISS)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE FOUR SEASONS - SILENCE IS GOLDEN (RAG DOLL)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE SUPREMES - REMOVE THIS DOUBT (YOU KEEP ME HANGIN' ON)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE CRESTS - MY JUANITA (SWEETEST ONE)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">RON TYSON - I'M NOT TOO YOUNG TO SING THE BLUES (OH WHAT A NIGHT FOR LOVE) </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE KAN-DELLS - CRY GIRL (CLOUDBURST)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE LEMON PIPERS - NO HELP FROM ME (GREEN TAMBOURINE)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE BYRDS - SHE DON'T CARE ABOUT TIME (TURN TURN TURN) </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">TICO &amp; THE TRIUMPHS - NOISE (CARDS OF LOVE)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">LITTLE WILLIE JOHN - I'M SHAKIN' (COTTAGE FOR SALE)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE LOVIN' SPOONFUL - BUTCHIE'S TUNE (SUMMER IN THE CITY)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">SLIM HARPO - DON'T START CRYING NOW (RAININ' IN MY HEART)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE COASTERS - THREE COOL CATS (CHARLIE BROWN)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE STONES - WHO'S DRIVING YOUR PLANE (HAVE YOU SEEN YOUR </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> MOTHER BABY) </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">TOMMY JAMES &amp; THE SHONDELLS - THUNDERBOLT (HANKY PANKY)</span>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-11921448493785372322011-07-23T17:12:00.002-04:002011-07-23T17:38:02.381-04:00Better Late than Never<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The latest edition of the Platterpuss Rock &amp; Roll Records party aired on Thursday, June 14 on <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.topshelfoldies.org/">Top Shelf Oldies</a>. As you can see, there are some repeats from my recent posts from my TOMH but there are a number of songs I haven't posted here just yet. Unlike my TOMH posts this is one big hour-long file. There's not that much more to say about it and especially since I am dealing with a really bad toothache and I am waiting for the pain killers to kick in, I'm just going to say here it is. Enjoy.</span><br /><br />BRUCE &amp; TERRY - SUMMER MEANS FUN</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">B.B. KING - SUMMER IN THE CITY</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">JIMMY JONES - EE-I-EE-I-O</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">KENNY &amp; THE KASUALS - NOTHING BETTER TO DO</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">CURTIS LEE - I NEVER KNEW WHAT LOVE COULD DO</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">JUANITA WILLIAMS - YOU KNEW WHAT YOU WAS GETTIN'</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE 13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS - YOU'RE GONNA MISS ME</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">LARRY DALE - LET THE DOORBELL RING</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE RELYEAS - COUNTRY BOY</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">ERNIE MARESCA - PLEASE BE FAIR</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">JODY REYNOLDS - FIRE OF LOVE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">CAT STEVENS - TROUBLE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">SUN RA - DADDY'S GONNA TELL YOU NO LIES</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE POETS - THAT'S THE WAY IT'S GOT TO BE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">RONNIE BIRD - OU VA T'ELLE</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">CURT BOETTCHER - I LOVE YOU MORE EACH DAY</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">FRANK GORSHIN - THAT'S THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DOROTHY PARKER - SHINDIG CITY</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE REDWOODS - PLEASE MR. SCIENTIST</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">SUGAR BOY WILLIAMS - LITTLE GIRL</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">THE BARBARIANS - YOU'VE GOT TO UNDERSTAND</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">JONI MITCHELL - RAISED ON ROBBERY</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">NAT KENDRICK - SLOW DOW<a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.multiupload.com/AHBLZQ0P0K">N</a></span>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-32293619281394225192011-07-14T16:18:00.005-04:002011-07-14T23:51:36.936-04:00Back on the Chain Gang Again<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For the last 3 few weeks I have been enjoying some much-needed down time. Miracle of miracles, despite company policy against such practices, I got a renewal of my contract at the ol' pickle factory. So, for the first time since October of 2008, I had time to myself with the luxury of knowing that I had a job waiting for me on the other end. It's a nice feeling. I'm not much of a traveler so I didn't go anywhere but living in NYC there is never a shortage of things to do. Being the procrastinator that I am I only accomplished about half of the things on my to-do list but that's OK - I can always take care of some of those things tomorrow hahaha.But since I have decided to keep Time On My Hands active and I don't know when I will have the time to do another post after this week, I decided to put up a new playlist. Once again you long-term visitors to TOMH will find some repeats from earlier (and presumably dead) posts, but I've thrown in some new goodies to make it interesting for everyone.But before I get to the music, if you are up and about tonight, from 11 - midnite EST, you might want to check out the 4th edition of my "Platterpuss Rock &amp; Roll Record Party" on <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.topshelfoldies.org/">Top Shelf Oldies</a> radio.</span><br /><br />Artful Dodger - You Know It's Alright</span><br />Back in the mid pre-punk 70's when I was starting to tire of the usual radio fare, I read a review of Artful Dodger's first album in Rolling Stone and sure enough, they were like a breath of fresh air. Of course, once punk happened they sounded kind of tame but 30-something years later they still sound pretty damn fine to me.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Carla Thomas - Same Thing</span><br />I'm not sure if this was ever a hit single for Ms. Thomas but if not it surely wasn't for a lack of quality. Upbeat and danceable with an almost Motownish feel to it I wish I would have known about this one in my DJing days.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Gentlemen - It's A Cryin' Shame</span><br />Many long-time garageniks remember this song as being one of the highlights of Pebbles 5. Here it is in primo sound quality taken from a privately pressed CD-R .<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Relyea's - Country Boy</span><br />What a wonderful cover of Billy LaMont's "Country Boy". I must admit to being a sucker for that kiddie vocal sound.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Groove Farm - Red Dress</span><br />I was first turned on to these guys by my friend Matthew who, at the time, went by the name Twee Kid and was totally into that whole C-86 thing. But these guys always seemed to have a bit more bite to them than many of their indie-pop cohorts.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I'm pretty sure "Red Dress" is a cover but I can't place where I might have heard the original. </span><br />The Redwoods - Please Mr Scientist</span><br />I heard this record online and went straight to Gemm Music and purchased an original copy of the 45 for $40. Money well spent in my opinion. Brill Building mainstay Jeff Barry was a co-writer and may have even sung on this little gem.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Curt Boettcher - I Love You More Each Day</span><br />Before his untimely death at age 43 in 1987, Curt had been the brains and inspiration behind a whole slew of incredible singles and artists, mostly of the soft-rock and light psych variety in the late 60's and early 70's. "I Love You More Each Day" was the single from his "There's An Innocent face" album which was released by Elektra Records in 1973.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Outasts - Long Tall Sally</span><br />This has always been a favorite of mine. While many of the records that came out in mid and late 60's Japan and lumped in under the "Group Sounds" banner are hardly worth a second listen, there are definitely some diamonds among the dreck and this demented version of Little Richard's classic is certainly one of them.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Dean Kohler - Gooseberry Pie</span><br />According to Google there actually IS something called gooseberry pie although from the pictures, it doesn't look like anything I want to try anytime soon. But that didn't stop Dean Kohler from recording this ode to his favorite confection in 1968.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Skunks - Dance With the Fuhrer</span><br />Back in the early daze of Punk it seemed that there were no rules at all and anything was possible. I'm not sure what, if any, kind of a statement these guys were trying to make or whether they just had a weird sense of humor but "Dance..." is a pretty catchy and cool tune if you don't have to hear it too many times.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Lambert, Hendricks &amp; Ross - Twisted</span><br />I first heard this song on a Joni Mitchell album and while our lady of the canyon did a pretty good job of it, nothing beats the original as sung by Annie Ross.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Rayders - I Feel Fine</span><br />I'm willing to bet that even in their homeland of New Zealand these guys never saw anything approaching that mystical 15 minutes of fame. Listening to this record objectively there is almost no justification for its existence except as a cheap Fab Four cash-in. Nonetheless I find myself really enjoying this slavish imitation of one of 1964's biggest hits. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Thea Gilmore - Ever Fallen In Love</span><br />"...Love' is one of my all-time favorite songs and while this arrangement is not something I would want to hear more than occasionally, it still works somehow. Listen and judge for yourselves.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Freddie Cannon - June July &amp; August</span><br />Ever since I bought the 45 of "Palisades Park" on Swan Records and turned it over to find this rocker gracing the b-side, it's been a summer favorite.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Booze - Ain't It the Truth</span><br />Ah, the power of the Internet. Had I not heard these guys on some blog or other I would never even know of their existence, which would be a damn shame. If the Greenhornes' or The Woggles' brand of loud, fast and snotty garage appeals to you then you definitely want to check these guys out. Their <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.myspace.com/thebooze">Myspace</a> page is a good place to start.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Z.Z. Hill - Baby I'm Sorry</span><br />For whatever reason, despite being a first-rate soul singer, mainstream crossover success has always eluded Z.Z. Hill. This upbeat mid-60's dancer seemingly has got it all.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Ronnie Bird - Elle m'attend</span><br />For my French visitors, in honor of Bastille Day, here is Ronnie Bird's version of the Stones' classic "The Last Time". As much as I've always loved this record by The Stones, I also like Ronnie's version. He also does a nice version of The Hollies' "Come On Back" which I will be playing on my show tonight.<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.multiupload.com/NRZJ45VM20">No more ifs or ands or buts </a>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-81758684815980290672011-07-05T00:38:00.006-04:002011-07-05T03:20:04.045-04:00Here's to all us aging Rock & RollersA few weeks ago I turned 60 years old. Me. 60!! When I was a kid my grandparents - quaint, lovable, white-haired folk with these funny old-world Jewish ideas and accents were in their 60's. They were old and I was young and hip and cool and 'with it'. Now <span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm</span> 60! Last night I went to see the Baxx CC's, an 'in-their-twenties' Japanese-American garage band. I've seen them twice before already and as always, they were great. But unlike the last few times I saw them, for much of the time I was there last night I didn't see anyone else I knew. All around me were these younger people, just about all of whom were young enough to be my sons or daughters. I honestly can't remember the last time I felt so old and out of place. Ironically before the band started they were playing one of the "Nuggets" discs, filled with songs I remember hearing on my AM transistor radio when they were new. I am glad that the next generation of rock and rollers are still into all of the cool stuff that came out in the 60s. And I am also glad that there are lots of new bands out there (many of whom I've heard in my travels throughout blogland) that are just as good as the bands I used to go see every week or so back in "the day". But as my friend Jeff, who showed up a bit later said: "It's just not our scene anymore - it belongs to them now."<br /><br />I hope he's wrong and that yesterday I was merely feeling a bit out of sorts. While I don't go out nearly as often as I used to, while I'd probably die if I tried to party like it was 1999 and while those nights of sex, drugs and Rock &amp; Roll are decades old, I don't feel quite ready to trade in these Rock and Roll shoes for some sensible orthopedic footwear just yet. <br /><br />A word or two about the music. First, I would like to thank my cyberpal and fellow blogger Glenn who despite his own troubles on his <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://bornintyme.blogspot.com/">Born In Tyme </a>blog is still going strong and is not letting the bastards win. Glenn, you, and all of the people who wrote such nice comments when I first decided to stop posting, have inspired me to keep going. Because of my work schedule and the fact that I am also now doing my once-monthly show on <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.topshelfoldies.org/">Top Shelf Oldies</a>, (my next show will be at 11 PM EST on Thursday July 14 - Happy Bastille Day!) I don't know how often I will be posting. But Time On My Hands is definitely up and running - just a wee big slower than before - kinda like its 60 year old master of ceremonies.<br /><br />Finally, some of you long-term visitors will notice a few repeats in this latest playlist. Since so much of what was out there has been taken down and many of my older posts are no longer available I have decided to start from scratch. So with all of that being said, it's time to strike up the band.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The BaxxCC's - Rock N' Roll Guitar</span><br />I first saw these guys about 3 or 4 months ago at a benefit for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Along with the A-Bones they were the highlight of the evening. This is from their already out-of-print mini-LP "Two Seconds To Mars!!!" which I am still trying to find on actual vinyl or CD. Hey guys, if you're reading this - got an extra copy?<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The A-Cads - Watch Your Step</span><br />As I've written so many times before, back in the 60's, long before the internet made it so easy, all over the world guys (mostly) heard the Beatles, Stones, Kinks etc. etc. and decided to pick up some instruments and give it a go themselves. The A-Cads from South Africa were 4(?) more who heard the news that there was good rockin' tonight and heeded the call.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Barbara Lewis - I'm So Thankful</span><br />Barbara had a Top 10 hit with "Hello Stranger" back in 1963 but this song, which sounds as if it was recorded anywhere between 1968 and 1972 never cracked Billboard's Top 100.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DM3 - Caroline No</span><br />Generally I have mixed feelings about tribute albums and covers but I do enjoy this rather faithful re-creation of the "Pet Sounds" classic. Dom Mariani is a tribute-worthy artist in his own right and his love for the song is obvious in every note the band sings and plays.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Overlanders - Summer Skies &amp; Golden Sands </span><br />I think I probably heard this song for the first time on Dave the Rave's show on TSO (Sat. nights 10 PM - 3 AM EST) and it's definitely become a favorite. I'm not sure if it was released in the U.S. as a single back in 1963 or whenever but I can't help but think that it would have sounded incredible blasting out of my dad's 1963 Plymouth's tinny little radio speakers.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Paul Kelley - Chills And Fever</span><br />I'm pretty sure I included this song on one of my very first TOMH playlists and it's still one of my favorites. Definitely one for my monthly Platterpuss R&amp;R Record Party show. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Fever Tree - I Can Beat Your Drum</span><br />Way before Fever Tree went all hippie on us with "San Francisco Girls" they cut this unknown (at the time) garage classic. Personally, I like this a whole lot better than their later material.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Mort Shuman - I'm A Man</span><br />Mort Shuman had a long and many-faceted career as an artist, writer, arranger and producer. Somewhere along the line he recorded this nifty little toe-tapper. I've got it loud and proud on a number of various artist compilations but I am still looking for an original 45.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Flatmates - When I'm With You</span><br />One of the things I will always be grateful to my friend Matthew (Twee Kid) for is for turning me on to the Flatmates. A little Shangri-Las, a little C-86 and songs with hooks that grab you when and where you least expect them to. If you like this song, check out their <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.amazon.com/Best-Flatmates/dp/B0007PL84A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1309845718&amp;sr=1-1">best-of</a> CD on Amazon.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />Tyrone Schmidling - Honey Don't</span><br />I know I posted this song once before and I'll say the same thing now as I did then: With a name like Schmidling it's GOT to be good. I wonder what Carl Perkins thought of this over-the-top version of his hit.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Painted Ship - Frustration</span><br />The Painted Ship recorded one of the nastiest songs ever with "Little White Lies" and while this one doesn't register quite as high on the Evil-O-Meter, it still has that same eerie and ominous vibe. A thousand times better than anything that spoiled bad boy wannabe Jim Morrison ever did. <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />The Resonars - If He's So Great</span><br />Even though TSO wants it's jocks to stick with 50's, 60's and early 70's sounds, every so often I like to throw in something a little newer. So far I've played tracks by The Lyres and Untamed Youth and they've both gone over quite well - at least in the chat room. I'm thinking of playing this song sometime and then following it up with a Hollies or Beau Brummels record.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Bo Diddley - Hong Kong, Mississippi</span><br />Hail Thee Mighty Bo! One of my favorite songs by one of my all-time favorite artists. She may say she's from Hong Kong but nobody fools Bo.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Gene Clark - Is Yours Is Mine</span><br />This is from Gene's very first solo album which he recorded with the Gosdin Brothers. Sadly, he left us way too young, never even reaching his 47th birthday, in 1991.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Willy DeVille - Every Dog Has Its Day</span><br />Willy "Mink" DeVille is another artist who died at way too young an age of 59. Unfortunately, while he was alive I never appreciated him all that much. I liked his first few albums on Capitol Records but I pretty much lost track of him after that. It wasn't until after his death that I started hearing some of his later recordings. He had a feel for classic soul music that few modern singers possess without having to imitate anyone in particular. "Every Dog..." is from his sadly out-of-print (and rather expensive) "Victory Mixture" CD. So enjoy it here folks.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Channels - Now You Know</span><br />I've always been a sucker for some good upbeat doo wop and while The Channels are better known for their ballads such "The Closer You Are" and "The Gleam in Your Eyes", this song has always been a favorite.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Mose Allison - I Don't Worry About A Thing</span><br />I want to be Mose Alison when I grow up. While I actually know very little about him, I love that good-natured, twinkle-in-his-eye coolness that he projects. Even when he is singing a blues song he always sounds like he is in on some huge cosmic joke and never takes himself too seriously. And he is also one helluva piano player.<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.multiupload.com/UMN2BY3JN0">Can't wait another day I gotta move on </a>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-22964361863455589792011-05-22T18:04:00.003-04:002011-05-22T18:20:13.981-04:00Platterpuss on the Radio 05/11For all of you who might have missed it, my radio show is available for downloading. It was a fun show and, as one good friend of mine so kindly pointed out, I definitely have the face for radio. Since I am now on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 11 - midnight, if you missed me last week you can catch me 'pre-recorded live' next month.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Otis Redding - Shout Bamalama </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Blues Magoos - (We Ain't Got) Nothin' Yet (stereo)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Jimmy McCracklin - The Wobble</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Beach Boys - In My Room</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Vaughan Thomas - Need You Girl</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Bill Cosby - Little Ole Man</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Maurice &amp; Mac - Lean On Me</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Little Boy Blues - I Can Only Give You Everything</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Jury - Who Dat</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Sugar Pie DeSanto - Go Go Power (mono)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Tommy Todd - Tag Along</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">David Gates - Okie Surfer (Mystery Oldie)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Dorothy Williams - Watchdog</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Baby Huey &amp; The Babysitters - Messin With The Kid</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Cufflinks - Guided Missles</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Roulettes - Bad Time</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Brothers Johnson - Strawberry Letter 23</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Bobby Fuller Four - Baby, My Heart</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Si Cranstoun - Chocoholic</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Brenda Holloway - Just Look What You've Done</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Blue Jeans - Cool Marti<a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.multiupload.com/NBFO181UDX">ni</a></span><br /><br />In other news, the job I started last June is due to end in 3 weeks - just in time for my 60th birthday ("Happy birthday, you're fired") so once again I will actually have some time on my hands - at least until I find another job. I've given some thought to reviving TOMH but I don't want to deal with the same crap I had last time. Taking the blog private isn't really an option as it defeats the whole purpose of trying to get the music out there for folks to hear. It seems kind of like preaching to the choir. So if anyone has any ideas or suggestions please feel free to leave a comment.YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-37178662068557431032011-05-17T01:09:00.003-04:002011-05-22T18:21:24.934-04:00I'm Back (sorta)The good news (I hope) is that I am back but not in quite the way folks might expect. I am now doing a 1-hour pre-recorded radio show on internet radio station <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.topshelfoldies.org/">Top Shelf Oldies</a> under my alter ego The Platterpuss, a name I used when I was writing record reviews back in the 90's. I will be on this Thursday (5/19) from 11 PM to midnite EST. It's a cool station with some really great and knowledgable DJ's, of which I am honored to be one. There is also a chat room that is open to all and really easy to join that is also filled with some really astute collectors and people who are really passionately into the music. Being that this is an oldies station you won't hear much new stuff but if you have liked my garage, soul, R&amp;B and rockabilly selections in the past, I don't think you will be disappointed. So please join me if you can.<br /><br />I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the folks who've left such nice comments over the last month or so. While I didn't get to post as often as I would have liked, coming up with my playlists and writing about the music was the perfect means of self-expression for me - especially as I do not play an instrument, paint or engage in any other type of artistic endeavor. It is gratifying to know that there are others of you out there who are on the same wavelength. Perhaps at some point I will decide to give it another try. But in the meantime I hope you will enjoy my show on Thursday.YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-34882972345983996812011-03-16T22:23:00.002-04:002011-03-16T22:36:06.789-04:00Bye Bye So Long FarewellIt has come to my attention that Multiupload has deleted all of my files from the last year. I'm not sure but I believe this action could have been triggered by a commenter in my last post. I really don't know. What I do know is that since I have to keep worrying about crap like this, TOMH has ceased to be fun for me. At some point I will probably dismantle the whole thing but for now I am saying that this is my last post.<br /><br />Up until recently it's been a lot of fun and I like to think I've done some good by turning people on to some music they may not have heard before. Maybe I'm flattering myself but I also like to think that, despite the claims of the RIAA, blogs like mine actually help increase record and CD sales. But whoever or whatever has caused the removal of so many of my files has spoiled it for me. I'd like to thank the many nice people who took the time to post a comment or two. You made me feel like someone out there actually cared. <br /><br />Perhaps I'll be be back with another blog at some point in the future but it will probably not be under my current nom de plume of Yankeeboy. For now though, this is goodbye.YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-90129545313672353792011-02-21T19:08:00.003-05:002011-02-21T21:11:57.616-05:00There But For FortuneWhile I've always liked much of Phil Och's music, I've never been a really big fan so when a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to go see <a href="http://philochsthemovie.com/">"There But For Fortune"</a>, a documentary about the life and music of Phil Ochs I went more because it seemed a pleasant way to spend an afternoon than out of any real curiosity. It turned out to be much more interesting than I had expected. Phil Och's music was so completely tied to the politics and events of the 1960's and as such "...Fortune" is about the times he lived in almost as much as about the man himself. Like many great artists (and indeed like many of us) he was also deeply flawed and towards the late 60's, when he realized that his music was not enough to change the world, alcohol and depression started to take their toll. As the 1960's turned into the 70's, despite the fact that he created what I think was some of the best music of his career, he felt more and more marginalized and in 1976 committed suicide.<br /><br />In my own life, as I've written about on these pages, it seems as if I am becoming more politically minded at the ripe old age of 59 than I was back when these songs were recorded. So while the names and places he was singing about were quite time specific, there's a feeling in his songs that still resonates very true in 2011. And even though I never believed that a folk song could ever actually change the world, I think that had he lived he would be creating some very interesting and compelling music today. <br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Big Martha - You Don’t Love Me Like You Used To</span><br />From the sound of it I'm guessing this was recorded anywhere between 1958 and 1962. This is the first and last I've heard of Big Martha but as one-song legacies go, she could do a lot worse.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Endd - Out Of My Hands</span><br />Whenever I hear this song I have this fantasy that during the last Beatles tour of the U.S. in 1966, John Lennon escaped for a few hours and cut this record with a local garage band. That's how much the lead singer sounds like him.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />Los Rialaz - Puppet<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Despite their Spanish sounding name, these guys appear on the 2d set of the amazing 3-volume "Tsunami Attack!! Of The Japanese Garage Rock'n'Roll" collection which came out last year. When the A-Bones toured Japan in 2009 they came back raving about all of the great Japanese garage bands they heard and many of them are probably on these discs. If you search around you can probably find them out there in blogland or, if you have deep pockets and feel like taking a chance, you can grab your very own CD copies at CD Japan. </span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Jason Knight - Our Love Is Getting Stronger</span><br />Classic Northern Soul. As best I can tell this was originally released in either the UK or Australia and on a search for an original copy of the 45, the cheapest one I could find was $165. Luckily it is also on a number of different NS comps that have come down the pike in the last few years.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Jim Alley &amp; The Alley Cats - The Great Pretender</span><br />I doubt that Mr. Alley will ever replace The Platters in the hearts of music listeners all over the world, but nonetheless I quite like his take on their mega hit "The Great Pretender".<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />Phil Ochs - I Ain't Marching Anymore</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Phil Ochs - When Im Gone</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Phil Ochs - Boy In Ohio</span><br />"....Marching" is from one of Phil's early albums and it's an antiwar anthem for the ages. Unfortunately, since this song was written there have been many more wars to add to the list. Listening to "When I'm Gone" I can't help but be struck by the irony of such life-affirming lyrics with his tragic end 12 or so years later. The autobiographical "Boy In Ohio" from the "Greatest Hits" album has always been one of my favorite songs. That line "the radio was always loud" gets me every time.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Couple -You Don't Have To Be So Nice</span><br />I've written about Couple a few times before on this blog and they remain one of my most loved bands. While they are building up quite a following in their home country Malaysia, they remain pretty much unknown in the rest of the world which is a damn shame. Check out their <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.myspace.com/couple">Myspace </a>page to hear more. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Love - Can't Explain [mono]</span><br />Since the day I bought it on a whim at EJ Korvettes when I was 15 years old in the summer of 1966, the first Love album has remained on or near the top of my all-time best albums list. And of course, it always sounds just a little bit better in mono.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />Bo Diddley - Hey Good Lookin'</span><br />This is the great Bo Diddley and there will never be another quite like him. What more do I need to say?<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Beach Boys - She Knows Me Too Well (stereo)</span><br />While "Pet Sounds" stands out, for many (myself included) as the Beach Boys finest moment, the second side of "Today" which came out about a year before is as perfect a practice run as you'll ever hear. Up to this point I was never that crazy about their ballads (remember I was only 13 or 14 at the time) but his was the album that showed me that slow could still be cool. And in an about face from my usual practice, I am featuring a rare stereo mix.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Percy Sledge - Baby Help Me</span><br />Speaking of ballads, they are what Percy Sledge is best known for - hits like "When A Man Loves A Woman" and "Take Time to Know Her" are staples of oldies radio. "Baby Help Me" takes him into upbeat dance territory and while it was not as successful for him chart wise, making it only up to number 87 on Billboard's Top 100 in Feb. of 1967, it's still a great record. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Final Four - Hold On To Your Life</span><br />Other than the act that I first heard this song on a comp of Australian garage bands I found on another blog whose name I can't remember (sorry), I know absolutely nothing about these guys. Anyone with any info is encouraged to leave a comment. <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />S.J. &amp; The Crossroads - The Darkest Hour</span><br />From Beaumont, Texas this track by SJ &amp; Co. has appeared on a number of comps over the years. Most recently it was featured on a volume of Sundazed's Garage Punk '66 series in perfect sound quality.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Tico &amp; the Triumphs - Noise</span><br />Before he was PAUL SIMON, Paul Simon was Jerry Landis and Tico &amp; The Triumphs and he had a real talent for coming up with some of the catchiest teen pop ever that nobody heard at the time and is finally being appreciated all these years later. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Dionne Warwick - Reach Out For Me</span><br />Despite the fact that Dionne became something of a laughing stock with those "Psychic Friends" commercials, there is no denying what an incredibly talented singer she was and her involvement with Burt Bacharach and Hal David produced some of the best-loved and most enduring pop of the 60's.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Shadows of Knight - Three For Love<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I first discovered this song on the 2d Shadows of Knight album "Bad Little Woman". On an album filled with snarly garage tracks like the title song and "Gospel Zone"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, "Three..." always stood out with it's slightly gentler folk rock sound</span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.multiupload.com/T03EQE2ZEU">They don't believe it could be this way</a><br /></span></span>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-68657563600330576422011-01-09T17:53:00.004-05:002011-01-10T00:21:59.815-05:00Tragedy in Arizona<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">L<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ike most of the nation I am still half in shock over the tragic events that occurred in Arizona yesterday. I was all set to write about my own mid-winter ennui and the power of music blah blah blah but when tragedies like this occur it makes me realize how trivial almost all of my complaints really are. To the best of my knowledge Rep. Giffords, who according to reports was the intended target of the shooter, is expected to survive although there were 6 fatalities - including a Federal judge and a 9 year old girl who, ironically, was born on 9/11/01. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this tragedy and their families.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I have already read a few online conjectures that say the shooter was connected to various splinter political groups or had such and such an agenda. While I am sure there might be some truth to some of these theories, I think it is best for all concerned to reserve judgment until the facts are in. Guilt by innuendo or conjecture is never a good thing, even when that verdict is against people or political parties we don't like.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What really upsets me however is that whatever the shooter's motivation might have been, it's frightening that someone can feel so much anger and hatred that this kind of act is the only way he can express it. Not that I am feeling sorry for the shooter in any way, shape or form but but it really boggles my mind to think that we as human beings are capable of that level of desperation. I wish I had some optimistic philosophical bon mot to neatly sum things up and make it all not seem so bad but I don't. Sometimes we humans are capable of incredible acts of cruelty.</span></span><br /><br />George Harrison - What Is Life</span><br />I had most of this playlist put together before yesterday but today I find myself needing some reassurance that there is still some sanity and love left in this world and to feel some connection to a power greater than myself. I can think of no better song to take me where I need to be today.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Herb Eimerman - Right Now</span><br />Once again I find myself not remembering where I first heard Herb Eimerman's music and not for the first time I suspect it was from one of the power pop blogs on my linkage section. Nonetheless, this is a beautiful song, as are so many on his albums, all of which are available on <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&amp;field-keywords=herb+eimerman&amp;x=0&amp;y=0">Amazon</a>.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />Little Willie John - Mr Glenn</span><br />Here's a little period piece from one of my favorite singers. I totally dig those little spacey sound affects.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Bobby Fuller Four - Only When I Dream</span><br />Speaking of favorite singers, I can think of only a few who were as capable at rocking out one minute and singing so pretty the next as Bobby Fuller. Although his recorded legacy is already more than enough to guarantee him a spot in the R&amp;R Hall of Fame (if the judges had any taste at all) it blows my mind to think of where he might have gone with his music had his life not been so tragically cut short.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Nick Lowe - Saint Beneath The Paint</span><br />I've only seen Nick Lowe in concert twice - once with Rockpile and again a few years ago when he did an acoustic solo set. Unfortunately for me I missed this show at the Ritz in NYC sometime in 1985. My bad for sure.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Thee Mighty Caesars - Wiley Coyote</span><br />Except for possibly John Lee Hooker, I don't think anyone has made as many records as Billy Childish either as a solo or with various groups. While not everything he records is essential listening, when he's "on" as he is on this one, it's easy to see why he is held in such high regard by so many people.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Living Daylights - Let's Live For Today</span><br />Back in the early days of FM radio I remember Murray The K playing this record on his show before I had heard the US hit version by The Grass Roots. While both are great, I think I like the LD's record better. I'm not sure where this rip originated from but "LLFT" did appear on the very first Rubble compilation.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Vince Castro - Bong Bong</span><br />There's nothing like a little upbeat white boy doo wop to put a bit of bounce back into your step. In retrospect it seems like we were all so innocent back then - even though the reality is that we weren't. A bit more naive perhaps but that's about it.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />The Red Squares - You Can Be My Baby</span><br />This record is fairly well known among garage fans and collectors as it's been on a number of compilations over the years, most recently Rhino's Nuggets Vol. 2 box. In listening to this back as I write I notice that there seems to be something appended to this particular rip at the end - sorry for the poor quality control.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Fred Neil &amp; Vince Martin - Wild Child In A World Of Trouble</span><br />Although he did not achieve much commercial success as a recording artist, Fred Neil was a mainstay in the NYC Folk community of the early 60s. He is mostly known for the songs he wrote for others including "The Dolphins" which was recorded by Tim Buckley and "Everybody's Talking" by Harry Nilsson which was featured in the film "Midnight Cowboy".<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Big Syl Barnes - Come On Back</span><br />An internet search turned up absolutely nothing on Mr. Barnes other than the fact that this record was on Corvair Records, is pretty expensive and may have been recorded in 1960. It definitely has that late 50's/early 60's R&amp;B shuffle groove I love so much.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Summer Suns - Girl In A Mexican Restaurant</span><br />I have to thank my old friend Matthew K. for turning me on to this pop gem way back when. Speaking of my friend Matthew, I want to send out my best wishes to him and his family on the birth of his lovely baby daughter yesterday. In the midst of all this tragedy it's great to witness this flowering of hope and love. I know that you and the missus will be great parents.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Paris Sisters - I Love How You Love Me</span><br />Featuring an early pre-wall-of-sound Phil Spector production and Priscilla Paris' plaintive vocal there is something very haunting and powerful about this record in all its simplicity. Apparently the record buying public at the time liked it as well as it went all the way up to Number 5 on the Billboard charts in September of 1961.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Stoics - Enough Of What I Need</span><br />Ever since it's appearance on the "Acid Vision" comp back in 1983, "Enough...", coupled with "Hate" on the flip has been one of the most sought after garage 45s of all time. If one were even available I'm guessing it would be selling for at least 4 figures. This rip comes from a privately pressed CD-R.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Ray Charles - I Don't Need No Doctor</span><br />Written by the team of Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, this was a minor hit for Ray Charles back in late 1966. Despite barely making the Top 100 at the time, it has become one of his best-known and most loved records from that era.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Hipbone Slim &amp; The Knee Tremblers - Blind Eye</span><br />This is yet another band that I can't quite remember where I first found out about - some other blog I am more than willing to bet - but, upon hearing, became an instant fan. If you like The Cramps, A-Bones or The Meteors I can't help but think that you'd like hearing more by <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.myspace.com/hipboneslim">these guys</a>.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Emperors - Blue Day</span><br />The Emperors are mostly known for their 5-star garage classic "I Want My Woman" and while "Blue Day" is nowhere near as crazed as that, it's a fine slice of moody garage in its own right.<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.multiupload.com/GR5RL9VV2F">Did you see a pretty maiden from the planet of love? </a>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-66698944166323368402010-12-26T21:24:00.002-05:002010-12-26T23:21:09.632-05:00Holiday BlahsFor some reason, I've been in somewhat of a funk this holiday season. Considering where I was last year at this time, I "should" (God, I hate that word!!) be feeling great and believe me, I am not unmindful of how bountiful and privileged my life is compared with so many others in the world and even among my own circle of friends. But feelings are feelings and while it helps to be aware that they are not necessarily reality, they can't just be thought away. We own them and whether or not we choose to share them, we're stuck with them. It doesn't help that everywhere we turn at this time of year we are bombarded by false cheer. See how delighted Miss Amazingly Beautiful Lady Love is with her new diamond pendant from Shlomo's Jewelers and just look at that perfect family enjoying their new Phony HD TV in happy togetherness! The pressure to feel this fake sense of warmth and fuzziness is immense and this year I found it particularly oppressive. But like all feelings, this too shall pass and today, when New York City is in the midst of our first blizzard of the 2010 winter, I had to go outside to run some errands and the same neighborhood I've been living in for the last 11 years was magically transformed into something else. It really was beautiful and breathtaking and it touched me like nothing else has this holiday season. I know that by tomorrow it will all be piles of gray slush but today the world really is a winter wonderland. So, whatever holiday you celebrate, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Festivus (for the rest of us) or none or all of the above, I hope it's filled with prosperity, love, joy and good health. <br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Adrian Lloyd - Got A Little Woman</span><br />Adrian is so well known for his garage classic "Lorna" that this little gem of a b-side tends to get overlooked. It's a little slower and more brooding than his "hit" but it's no less addicting in its own way. With a 1-2 punch like this, I can't even begin to imagine what original copies of the 45 must sell for.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Flop - I Told A Lie</span><br />Back in the early 90's one of my favorite music fanzines was "Noise for Heroes, Music for Zeros" and I am pretty sure that is where I first read about these guys. Catchy pop-punk in a Ramones/Buzzcocks mode. This particular song comes from their "Fall of the Mopsqueezer" CD, copies of which are available from <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&amp;field-keywords=flop+fall+of+the+&amp;x=0&amp;y=0">Amazon </a>for as little as 1 penny (I kid you not!).<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Bobby Womack - All Along The Watchtower</span><br />There are some songs that just lend themselves to interpretation and "All Along the Watchtower" is definitely one of them. It seems pretty obvious that BW spent a little time listening to Jimi Hendrix' version but when all is said and done he manages to come up with his own rendition.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />The Cowsills - In Need of a Friend</span><br />Back in the day I would never admit to liking a Cowsills song but with 20-20 hindsight it's not hard to see that they had more than just a couple of pop classics in their repertoire. IMHO this was one of their best with an arrangement and lyrics that still speaks to people today.<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br />The Royal Jokers - You Tickle Me Baby</span><br />I know next to nothing about these guys (if anyone has any info feel free to leave a comment or two) but this is pure loud and fast fun that can always get a smile out of me. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Split Ends - Rich With Nothing</span><br />Another garage classic that probably needs no introduction to most readers of this blog. Pure snotty perfection. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Buddy Covelle - Lorraine</span><br />Buddy Covelle is anothere artist I knew nothing about (or had even heard of) before stumbling across this rockin' paean to his lady love. Again, I'm sure there is a story behind the artist and/or the record so if anyone out there knows a little more, please feel free to share. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Long Ryders - Tell It To The Judge On Sunday</span><br />Despite being lumped in with the whole 80's Paisley Underground movement, of which I was an avid participant, I never paid much attention to these guys. But about a month ago I heard this song on Dave the Rave's <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.topshelfoldies.org/">Top Shelf Oldies</a> show (Saturday nights from 10 PM till 3 AM) and I liked it so much that I just had to order the CD.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Hollies - Nobody</span><br />"Nobody" was one of the lesser known Hollies 45s released in 1965. While it may not rank up there with classics like "Look Through Any Window" or "I Can't Let Go", it is still a nice record and I figured that if I never heard it before, it may be new to some of you visitors as well.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Warren Zevon - Johnny Strikes Up The Band</span><br />Despite all the horrible things I have read about his personal life and relationships, I have always been a major fan of WZ's music and one of my biggest regrets is that I never got the chance to see him live. I always thought that this was one of his better rockers and after reading that it was written as a tribute to Johnny Carson, I like it even more. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Steve Flynn - Mr Rainbow</span><br />According to <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Teenage_Opera">Wikipedia</a>, Steve Flynn was a pseudonym for writer/producer Mark Wirtz and this song comes from "A Teenage Opera" which is also where Keith West's "Grocer Jack (Excerpt from a Teenage Opera)" originates.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Roky Erickson &amp; 27 Devils Joking - You Don't Love Me Yet</span><br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://deletionpedia.dbatley.com/w/index.php?title=27_Devils_Joking_%28deleted_18_Aug_2008_at_23:35%29"></a>27 Devils Joking was a New Mexico punk band that had a couple of interesting records on their own but I have no idea how they hooked up with Roky Erickson. But hook up they did and managed to come up with a blistering version of one of my favorite Roky songs.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Major Lance - Gotta Get Away</span><br />Back in the mid-60s during his stay on Okeh records Major Lance recorded a ton of incredible records many of which have found a renewed popularity among the Northern Soul crowd in the UK. This stereo mix of "Gotta Get Away" comes from a <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.amazon.com/Everybody-Loves-Good-Time-Major/dp/B000002B0O/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1293421046&amp;sr=1-3">2-disc best-of</a> that CBS released about 15 years ago that no home should be without. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Teddy Robin &amp; The Playboys - Lies</span><br />Just like today, in the mid 60s, American and British Rock and Roll insinuated itself into many different cultures. Hong Kong was no exception and Teddy Robin &amp; The Playboys was one of the most popular bands in the<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">country. Their 45s are quite collectible today and fetch prices in the hundred dollar range on Ebay.</span><br />The Secret Service - What's Going On</span><br />It's impossible for me to write objectively about these guys as back in the late 80s and early 90s they were good friends of mine and I must have seen them play at least 100 times. "What's Going On" was a staple of their live set and as I am listening to it now I am seeing them on that tiny stage at The Dive on 28 Street and 8th Ave. in NYC. Hard to believe that was almost 25 years ago. It feels like yesterday. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Wild Ones - Bowie Man</span><br />While this may be typical British R&amp;B circa 1964, it doesn't take anything away from the little jolt of adrenaline I still get every time I hear it. This particular rip comes from a privately pressed CD-R made directly from the 45 and sounds a lot better than the reissue on the "English Freakbeat" series.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Charts - Ooba Gooba</span><br />I'm not sure where I first heard this record - maybe a Las Vegas Grind comp or something of that ilk. Back in the late 50s and early (pre-Beatle) 60s there were literally hundreds of records like this coming out all the time. Not exactly novelty records but not entirely serious either, backed by some soulful riffing and a solo or two. Ooba Gooba baby!<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.multiupload.com/X16FXF0V9I">They'll be rocking in the projects, walking down along the strand </a>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-57445391078747658042010-11-21T20:32:00.005-05:002010-12-04T21:32:25.862-05:00I'm Mad as Hell....<span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A few days ago I watched the 70's hit movie "Network" for the first time in over 30 years. Back when I first saw it, when I was in my mid-20's I'd probably smoked a few joins beforehand and it was all a big joke. But seeing it again now, with all that has happened over the last few decades, despite some aspects being a little dated (how odd it is to see an office with no computers), in other ways it rang more true today than it did back then. That scene where Howard Beale is in the room with the head corporate honho being totally hypnotized by that "There are no countries; no democracy - just corporations" routine was a big joke when we were all a lot younger. Yeah, we may have had our suspicions but none of us (people that I knew anyway) knew or really cared how true those words were. Now as we see what is happening in and to this country every day it is obvious where the real power lies. I could turn this into whole big rant about how the top 1 percent of this country makes 23 percent of the income or talk about what a disappointment President Obama is turning into (oh please prove me wrong Mr. Prez - I would gladly eat those words!!) but I won't. I'll just say that if you get a chance to see this movie again or for the first time, I think you'll find it rather eye opening.<br /><br />One more thing before I get to the music. I'd like to thank all of the supporters out there who left such nice comments in support of TOMH after my little run in with the DMCA. So far I still don't know what the offending song was. Enjoy the music and please, leave comments. I love hearing what you have to say - good, bad or indifferent.<br /><br /></span>The Brigands - (Would I Still Be) Her Big Man</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">45 years ago this poor guy was worried that if his girlfriend knew he was "only" a poor laborer she might not love him anymore. These days, what with the recession and so many jobs moving overseas, he'd be considered a great catch. </span><br />Richie Barrett - Some Other Guy</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Although here in the U.S., "...Guy" </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">never dented the Top 100,</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> back in 1962 a bunch of these 45s must have found their way over to England because, along with its b-side "Tricky Dicky", it became a staple of many budding young R&amp;B bands repertoires.</span><br />Joan Baez - Love Is Just a Four-Letter Word</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">In her song "Diamonds and Rust" JB has a line about a genius being a pain to live with at home. Listening to this song, as brilliant as it is, I can see why. While I am not a fan of everything Ms. Baez has ever done, I applaud her mental fortitude for coming through the experience of being in love with a young Bob Dylan with her sanity relatively intact. </span><br />Larry Brinkley - Move Over Rover</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I have no idea what LB may have done before or since, but "Move Over Rover" is enough to guarantee him at least a footnote in the history of Rockabilly and probably a huge dent in the wallets of Rockabilly collectors. </span><br />The Greenberry Woods - That's What She Said</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">While these guys are pretty well known among hard core Power Pop fans, they came and went generally unnoticed by the public at large. Needless to say, the CD that this song is on "Razzle Dazzle" is long out of print but there are still copies to be bought quite cheaply on <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000008G78/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1291511012&amp;sr=1-1&amp;condition=used">Amazon</a>.</span><br />The Fire - Fathers Name Is Dad</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">To fans of 60s garage and freakbeat "...Dad" needs no introduction as it's been recognized as a classic since its first appearance on a "Chocolate Soup for Diabetics" comp almost 30 years ago. It still sounds great today.</span><br />John Lee Hooker - Money</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Some singers can sing any song and make it their own and there are some songs that are so classic and timeless that they transcend genre and style. John Lee Hooker singing "Money" is a perfect example of both of these coming together at the same time. </span><br />John Martyn - Don't Want To Know</span><br />I was never a really big John Martyn fan. It wasn't that I didn't like him, I just was pretty much unaware of him. Unfortunately, it wasn't until he passed away in 2009 that I started reading about him and became curious. I could make myself seem much more knowledgeable than I am by talking about his life and music, but you can read all that in the same <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 255);"></span><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Martyn_%28musician%29">article</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"> </span>that I just read. <br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Monte Warden - Don't Know a Thing</span><br />Monte is a relatively new artist that I discovered on one of the power pop blogs that I have listed in the sidebar. In this song he wears his Buddy Holly influence on his sleeve but to me that is never a bad thing. Check out his <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.myspace.com/montewarden">Myspace</a> page to hear more.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Grateful Dead - Box Of Rain</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If I were to make a list of all the songs I have listened to most in the last 40 years, "...Rain" would certainly be in the Top 5. Besides being the soundtrack to one of my first unrequited love affairs when I was 19 (and we all know about those I am sure), in lines like "Look into any eyes you find by you, you can see clear to another day" there is that promise of all sorts of wonderful things happening at any time. Silly, I know, but if music isn't about taking us to a better place, even one that exists only in our own minds, then what's the point?</span><br />The Hides - Don't Be Difficult</span><br />From Pittsburgh PA, by the looks of it this was their one and only claim to fame. But a damn fine claim it is, good enough for an appearance on the acclaimed "Back From The Grave" series.<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">J.J. Jackson - But It's Allright</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This song actually appeared on the Billboard charts twice, the first time in 1966 making it up to number 22 and then again in 1969 when it reached number 45.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">King Khan &amp; BBQ Show - Too Much In Love</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">These guys have managed to meld doo wop and garage in a way that I personally find irresistible. His other band The Shrines gets more into a James Brown kind of funky thing that I don't enjoy quite as much but I can listen to stuff like this all day long.</span><br />Kenny Dino - Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night</span><br />This Hicksville Long Island native made it to the Billboard Top 30 for the first and only time in 1961 with this peppy little gem. "..Ma..." may also sound familiar to some of you as The Turtles did a virtual note-for-note cover for the flip of their second single "Let Me Be".<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Dee Dee Warwick - Suspicious Minds</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Although Elvis Presley had a much bigger hit with this song, I think I actually like this version better. Her vocals are as soulful as it gets and The Dixie Flyers (I'm guessing) provide the perfect backdrop. </span><br />The Zombies - Don't Go Away</span><br />A quick check through my old posts shows that despite being one of my favorite groups of all time, I've only posted one song by these guys. Despite the box set that Ace/Big Beat released more than 10 years ago, it seems to me that these guys are totally underrated when compared to other British Invasion bands of the same ilk such as The Hollies and even The Kinks. My problem was not in finding a good song to post but rather eliminating all of the possibilities down to only one.<br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.multiupload.com/LJVXTMB875">It's all a dream we dreamed one afternoon long ago</a>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2181823195107391049.post-18130034511822732452010-10-31T15:50:00.011-04:002011-01-10T00:38:02.312-05:00A Bloggers Rite of Passage<style>p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Times; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >After 2 years (Happy Birthday "Time On My Hands") I received my first DMCA takedown notice and I've got to admit, it has taken some of the wind out of my sails. I have no objection or issue with Blogger for taking down the offending post. That is their right and even their responsibility. If some musician, songwriter, publisher or label thinks that by having a song posted on this blog will hurt then in any way (although for the life of me I can't imagine why) it is their right to tell me to remove it. No problem there. In fact there are some artists who are known for not wanting their music posted who I like very much and I deliberately avoid them. "Time On My Hands" has always been about presenting music that may otherwise go unheard or be ignored in a different context than what may otherwise be expected. Nothing more and nothing less. If someone doesn't want to be a part of that I certainly respect their wishes. I believe I have made that clear from the beginning.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >What does bother me however is that after more than a month (my takedown notice was dated Sept. 15) I still have no idea what song it was that somebody objected to. There is a site that is supposed to contain this information <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.chillingeffects.org/search.cgi">(http://www.chillingeffects.org/search.cgi)</a> but so far I have not been able to find any info on my particular takedown. Looking over my post I see nobody who really has much (if anything) to lose by having the 150 or so people who normally download any particular post</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >"stealing" their song. But what I do see is a really great set list (if I say so myself) filled with songs that I really wanted to share that will go unheard by a hundred or so people who might really appreciate them and maybe even be motivated to go out and buy something by one of the artists involved. As the lyric to a song whose title I've forgotten goes "It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it" that bothers me.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >In other news, I wasn't too upset about Texas beating my beloved Yankees in the playoffs this year. What surprised me more than anything was that the Yanks managed to win 2 games against a team that was obviously superior to them in just abut every way. This year the Yankees simply ran out of gas. I've not seen any statistics but it seems that since the All-Star break they barely played over .500. As far as I am concerned, the better team won and more power to them.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >This Tuesday is Election Day and it looks as if the Democrats are going to take a beating. While things are slightly better than they were 2 years ago many people are disappointed that President Obama hasn't been able to accomplish more and despite the fact that they were the main cause of that, the Republicans are poised to take full advantage. This may prove to be a good thing for President Obama for 2012. If the Republicans take control of one or both houses of Congress this year and by 2012 times are still as tough as they are now for so many Amerricans, Republican politicians will have nobody to blame but themselves. I too have to admit some disappointment with the Obama administration. I still think he is a brilliant man with some great ideas but I think he perhaps could have been better prepared for the level of opposition he faced. But the fact remains that if he were running again today I would still vote for him.<br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Big Maybelle - One Monkey Don't Stop No Show</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Including this one, I can think of at least three really terrific songs with the title "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show", the other two being by The Honeycones and The Animals. But Big Maybelle was the first and from the sound of this I'm guessing it was recorded in the mid-50's. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Ducks Deluxe - Coast To Coast</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >When I first got into Punk Rock, somewhere near the end of 1977 I started reading magazines like NY Rocker and Trouser Press religiously. It was in the latter where I first read about Ducks Deluxe and when I found their album with the <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/ducks_deluxe">blue background</a> on the cover in an import bin I fell in love with this song. Hard to believe this was recorded in 1974 when singer songwriters reigned supreme.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Lesley Gore - That's The Way Boys Are</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >With songs like this one and "You Don't own Me" LG displayed a maturity that many of us (this writer certainly) lacked at that younger more innocent age when "...Boys.." was blasting out of AM transistor radio speakers.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Neil Young - Rockin' In the Free World</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >For me, after "Harvest" many of Neil's albums were hit or miss affairs. Total brilliance one minute and virtually unlistenable the next. "Rockin'..." has always been one of my favorites. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Tammi Lynn - Mojo Hanna</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >This could only have been recorded in New Orleans. Listen to that incredible drumming by, I'm guessing, the incomparable Earl Palmer. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Mouse And The Traps - Lie Beg Borrow And Steal</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >In their time (mid-60's) these guys released a handful of singles on the Fraternity label. This one and "Maid of Sugar..." are their best and are considered classics today by Garage fans everywhere.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Eddie Bond - Don't Tear Me Up</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Listening to this I can hear where artists like Dwight Yoakam and Deke Dickerson may have found some of their own inspiration. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Roger McGuinn - Anna</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Like many of us who came of age in the 1960's I'm willing to bet that Roger first heard "Anna" on the "Introducing the Beatles" album. And just like John Lennon's, Roger's voice is the perfect vehicle for "Anna's" melancholia and wistfullness. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Byrds - She Don't Care About Time</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >When I was 14 and in 9th grade I remember buying "Turn Turn Turn" on a Columbia 45 and playing it over and over for at least an hour. Finally I turned the record over and was quite pleasantly surprised to find "She Don't..." waiting for me on the flip.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Hi-Risers - Wild Romance</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >I love these guys! I've always been a huge power pop fan and The Hi-Risers do it as well as anyone and better than most. Upbeat and perky it's virtually impossible to feel sad when these guys are playing. I saw them a few months ago at Maxwell's in Hoboken NJ opening up for The Trashmen and they're just as much fun live as they are on record. They've got a whole slew of songs just as fabulous as this one so check out their <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.myspace.com/thehirisers">myspace</a> page to hear more.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Southside Johnny &amp; the Asbury Jukes - I Don't Want to Go Home</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Anyone who has ever sat in a bar at 3 AM still searching for that potential love of their life or just someone to help keep the loneliness at bay for a few more hours will certainly be able to relate to Johnny's tale of woe.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Scorpions - Hey Honey</span></p><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >When you mention Dutchbeat to fans of the genre, right away most folks think of The Outsiders and Q65. But, like music scenes everywhere, there were many many other bands involved who were not quite as well known. Meet The Scorpions. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Vicki Anderson - No More Heartaches No More Pain</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >I haven't updated my "Way to Go" section in awhile but when I do I will certainly include a link to the incredible <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://dereksdaily45.blogspot.com/">"Derek's Daily 45"</a> site which is where I first heard this fiery little gem. I've been visiting them for close to a year now and have lost count of how many times I've gone straight from there to Gemm Music or Ebay to add another amazing 45 to my collection.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Wanderer's Rest - Don't Know What I'd Do</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >From the wilds of Milwaukee, Wisconsin The Wanderer's Rest released a handful of 45's before fading into obscurity. Virtually their entire recorded legacy is available on</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.amazon.com/Garagemental-Cuca-Records-Story-2/dp/tracks/B000FG5NFQ/ref=dp_tracks_all_1#disc_1">"Garagemental: The Cuca Records Story Vol. 2"</a> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >on Ace/Big Beat.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Lolas - Ballerina Breakout</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >I'm not sure where I first heard of these guys - most likely one of the numerous power pop blogs around - but their CDs have been out of print long enough for them to be fetching fairly substantial prices on places like Amazon, Gemm Music and Ebay. But I liked what I heard enough to warrant shelling out for pretty much their whole output including some Japanese CDs with bonus tracks. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Charles Mingus - East Coasting (Take 4)</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Like Duke Ellington, <a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.mingusmingusmingus.com/Mingus/index.html">Charles Mingus</a> is reknown as much for his musical compositions as he is for being a bandleader and musician. Although I have read that he was a very angry man at times I hear a distinct sense of humor and playfulness in his music. "East Coasting" was recorded fairly early in his career in 1957.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-family: times new roman;" href="http://www.multiupload.com/9R4ITU835U">I want you and I need you and I love you so much</a></span><br /></p></span>YankeeBoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14077959975128794185noreply@blogger.com12